By GRAHAM POWELL
Leader sportswriter
The Cabot White Centennial Bank junior American Legion team improved its winning streak to six games after beating Benton Sport Stop 9-4 on Friday at Benton.
Cabot (24-7) wasted little time getting its offense going as it scored the game’s first nine runs, eight of which came in the top of the first inning.
All but one player in the Cabot starting lineup scored a run in the game, and the White Centennial Bank junior team made the most of its chances as it left just one runner stranded on the bases. Benton left a total of 10 runners on base.
That was the most telling statistic of the game as Cabot narrowly outhit Benton 7-6. Seven different players rounded out the team’s hit totals.
Leadoff hitter Jonathan Latture, Dylan Bowers, Adam Hicks, Chris Odom, Tyler Tucker, Austin Null and Trent Frizell each had one hit apiece for the White Centennial Bank junior team.
Latture’s hit was a triple that scored two runs in the top of the first inning. Frizell also drove in two runs in that inning with a double. Three other Cabot White players collected RBIs.
Null, Tucker and Odom each drove in a run, and Null led the team with two runs scored. Cabot scored its final run in the top of the third inning.
The White Centennial Bank junior team used five different pitchers in the seven innings played.
Null picked up the win after just two innings of work. He gave up one hit and three walks, but didn’t allow a run and recorded one strikeout.
Brandon Jones came in to relieve Null in the bottom of the third. He gave up three hits and as many runs, but only two of those runs were earned. He also recorded one strikeout in his two innings on the hill.
Shawn Williams took over pitching duties in the fifth but couldn’t record an out. Benton scored its final run of the game off of Williams before Gavin Tillery took to the mound.
Tillery gave up just one hit in his one inning of work and recorded all three Benton outs with strikeouts. Bowers finished the game on the mound. He gave up one walk and no hits, while recording one strikeout at the end of the game.
The White Centennial Bank squad will try and extend its win streak tomorrow as it hosts Lonoke at 7:30 p.m. at the Cabot Sports Complex.