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Rangers advance to sectional final

HARRISBURG - Benton scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning Wednesday, breaking a 1-1 deadlock en route to a 3-1 victory over Anna-Jonesboro in the semifinals of the Harrisburg 2A Sectional.

The first two runners in the inning reached – Hamilton Page on an error when the 'Cats first baseman couldn't hang onto an infielder's throw and Parker Williams, who was hit with a pitch.

Brett Bonenberger hit a soft liner, scoring Page, and Williams scored on a fielder's choice when A-J's middle infield elected to get Bonenberger at second but the throw sailed away from the bag.

Benton could've done more damage in the sixth. With the bases juiced and no outs, A-J reliever Kyle Clover got three straight fly balls to end the threat.

Benton starter Zach Avery went a solid six innings for the Rangers. He allowed one run (unearned) on two hits. He struck out three, issued one walk and hit two batters.

After a leadoff double in the seventh, Avery was lifted in favor of Page. Coming in with a 2-0 count on the number nine hitter, Page dispatched two straight hitters on strikeouts and got a fly ball to deep center to end the game.

Hunter Ralls was the losing pitcher. He surrendered three runs (one earned) on three hits. He had an impressive nine strikeouts with no walks although he hit two Benton hitters.

The Rangers, 25-11, advance to the 11 a.m. title game on Saturday against Nashville, which ousted the host Harrisburg, 10-9, in the other semifinal game.

Benton's Gehrig Wynn slides safely into second for a stolen base as Anna-Jonesboro shortstop Sheldon McGrath can't come up with the ball. The Rangers scored two runs in the sixth inning to break a 1-1 deadlock and advance to Saturday's championship game. Rick Hayes Photo