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BASEBALL: Fielding miscues spoil Indians' opener at Benton

Posted March 13, 2012 11:00 pm

Doug Daniels

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Both the Indians and Rangers may have shown a bit of first-game jitters combining for nine defensive errors, but Benton took advantage of a few more mistakes than did Du Quoin, winning 10-9 on a walk-off solo home run by Trey Garrett after the lead changed hands four times.

"It was a typical first game," said Indians' head coach Tim Craft. "I thought we handled the bats pretty well, I thought our pitchers did a pretty decent job throwing strikes. If we take advantage of some opportunities out in the field, it might be an entirely different ball game at the end. All in all, I'm pretty happy with the effort, just disappointed in the defense."

The finishing touches are still being put into place on Du Quoin High School's new baseball field, so Monday's season opener for both teams was moved to Benton City Park where the Rangers play their home games.

After losing several starters from last year's Class 2A Third Place team, it was two of the handful of returning players that got the Indians going on offense in the top of the first.

Kegan Robbins led off with a single, then after Brenden Fred flew to right, Nate Boss was hit with a pitch and Camden Youngman walked to load the bases. Travis Chapman smoked one over the wall in right for a grand slam and a 4-0 Du Quoin lead.

Each team would score in their first three at-bats, resulting in a 7-6 Rangers lead heading to the top of the fourth, when Robbins led off with a double and scored on Fred's double moments later. Fred would also score later in the inning on an error, putting the Indians back on top 8-7.

Two scoreless half-innings later, it was the Rangers' turn to come back again. Tyler Leffler's two-run bomb gave Benton a 9-8 lead, but it wouldn't last for long.

Youngman singled with one out and then Chapman doubled to tie the score in the top of the sixth, but the Indians couldn't capitalize any further after back-to-back strikeouts.

Garrett Dorsey, on in relief of starter Camden Mercier and reliever Fred, got out of a jam in the bottom of the inning after a leadoff double and a one out walk. Dorsey wasn't as lucky in the seventh when Garrett led off with a game-ending homer to left-center field.

Chapman drove in six of the Indians' nine runs, going 3-for-4 at the dish with a homer, a double and a run scored to lead the DHS offense. Robbins was also 3-for-4 with a double, scoring twice.

"Those two were in our lineup last year and they're going to be anchors (this season)," said Craft, "along with Dylan Pyron who is injured right now, but when he gets back he's going to be a big bat. We've known all along these young guys that are coming up can hit. It's just building off of it and making sure that they keep improving every day as complete players."

Jon Boss (2-4, 2B), Youngman (1-2, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 SB), N. Boss (1-3, R, HBP), and Fred (1-4, R, RBI, 2B) also hit safely for Du Quoin.

While the pitching combination of Mercier, Fred and Dorsey did a good job of staying around the plate, they didn't get much help from a defense that committed six errors leading to five unearned runs. All three pitchers were on pitch counts for Monday's game.

"We're trying to keep an eye on them, it's the first game of the year," Craft said. "We just wanted them to get their feet wet, and get ready to go in two weeks when we start conference games. They're young arms, we're just trying to get them some experience."

Craft added that the school hopes the new field at DHS will be ready in time for Saturday's doubleheader with Herrin set for an 11:00 a.m. first pitch.

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