Mercier's double lifts Indians over Benton

BENTON - Charley Mercier hit an RBI double in the top of the ninth inning to lift the Du Quoin High School baseball team to a 10-8 win over Benton on the road Wednesday.

Du Quoin, which improved to 13-6, had an 8-1 lead after four innings, only to see the Rangers plate five in the fifth and two in the sixth to tie it.

In the ninth, Tevin Lee drew a one-out walk and Hank Stewart flew out, but Ashton Smith singled and Mercier followed with his double that put the Indians ahead.

Smith had a big day with three hits, including a two-run homer, while Lee also had two hits and scored twice.

Alex Zimmerman also had two hits, reached base four times and scored twice. Stewart, Brian Winters, Will Woodside and Bryzn Witcher also had hits for the Indians.

Zimmerman pitched into the fifth inning and gave up six runs. Witcher went the rest of the way, which was nearly five innings, and gave up two runs and four hits.