The Northmor Golden Knights went up early and were able to hold off the Centerburg Trojans in a 7-4 win on May 1, where Cole Cuffman tripled and drove in two runs to lead the charge.
In the top of the first, Bentley reached on an error and got to second base. Cuffman followed with an RBI triple to right, and then scored when Hammond hit a grounder that was mishandled.
In the top of the second inning they put three runs on the board to take a 5-0 lead. Nick Armrose reached on an error and then Billy Bowlin singled to center. Jack Bowdre doubled home Armrose and sent Bowlin to third. Bentley followed with a grounder to third, but it was misplayed for an error. Bowlin scored and Bowdre went to third on the play. After an out, Hammond hit an RBI single to left.
Centerburg got on the board in the bottom of the second when Ricky Faught hit an RBI double. In the top of the fourth, Cuffman hit a liner and reached on an error, and Bentley was able to score on the play.
In the bottom half of the fourth, Centerburg cut it to 6-3 when Faught hit a two run double to left. Logan Geiger reached on an error and Belcher knocked in a run on a sacrifice fly to make it a two run game.
Northmor made it 7-4 in the top of the fifth when Bowdre hit a grounder that was misplayed, and Bryce Cooper came around to score.
Cuffman was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run to lead the Trojan offense. Bowdre had a 2-for-3 day with a double, two RBIs and a run. Hammond also drove in a pair of runs, and went 1-for-4. Bentley was 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, two runs and an RBI.
Bentley was strong on the mound, going seven innings, allowing four runs but two earned, two walks and six strikeouts.
Centerburg was led by Faught’s 2-for-3 showing, where he knocked in two runs. He took the loss on the hill, going four innings, allowing seven hits, seven runs with six earned, and a walk, while striking out a batter.
They also had a win on May 2, when they went up big early and held off Crestline for a 10-1 win. The team used six pitchers, going an inning or less each. They combined for 10 strikeouts, five walks and only one hit allowed.
Bentley and Garrett Harvey each went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
