The Sheridan Yellowjackets are going into the Class 6A state championship game on an impressive roll.
Sheridan banged out 13 hits in last weekend's 13-1 semifinal victory over Jonesboro. The Yellowjackets (23-8) had at least one hit in every inning and scored in every inning except the first, sending Sheridan to its 12th victory in its past 13 games.
High school baseball championships
All games at Baum Stadium, Fayetteville
TODAY’S GAMES
CLASS 4A
Arkadelphia vs. Star City, 10 a.m.
CLASS 1A
Armorel vs. Taylor, 12:30 p.m.
CLASS 7A
Conway vs. Bentonville, 3 p.m
CLASS 2A
Magnet Cove vs. Ouachita, 5:30 p.m.
SATURDAY’S GAMES
CLASS 3A
Mayflower vs. Fordyce, 10 a.m.
CLASS 5A
Harrison vs. Whitehall, 12:30 p.m.
CLASS 6A
Benton vs. Sheridan, 3 p.m.
Sheridan's lone glitch in its late-season run came April 25 with a 13-0 loss to Benton, the team the Yellowjackets face in Saturday's title game at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville.
"At the start of the season, we had lofty goals," Sheridan Coach Mike Moore said. "But it just seemed like at times we were going through the motions and just expected to win instead of really working to improve."
Moore said he came down hard on his players one day and that the Yellowjackets responded in a positive manner. The result has led them to the year's final game.
"Ever since that day our effort, our attitude and our intensity have all improved," Moore said.
"They are a gritty team," Benton Coach Mark Balisterri said of Sheridan. "They do the little things well. I think they are a very good base-running team. If we keep them off the bases, we've got a chance. But overall, Sheridan is just a good solid team."
Benton (24-5) is also coming into Saturday's game on a hot streak. The Panthers shut out Marion (8-0) and Russellville (6-0) last week during its two games in the state tournament at Texarkana.
Panthers pitchers Drew Harris (6-0) and Drew Dyer (5-1) have combined to throw 91 1/3 innings this season, allowing a combined 10 earned runs while striking out a combined 107 batters and giving up only 29 walks.
"They are great competitors," Moore said of Benton's pitchers. "They don't just go out and try to win the game. They go out there trying to beat you and dominate you. They hate to lose."
Sheridan will counter with Tyler Allen (10-3, 1.58 ERA). He has 67 strikeouts in 72 innings, but the Yellowjackets senior doesn't have to be a strikeout pitcher for his team to be successful.
"We have played very good defense this year," Moore said. "We pitch to contact and let the defense make the plays."
The teams have similar batting statistics, with Benton hitting .340 as a team and Sheridan batting .326.
Sheridan first baseman Hunter Hicks has a .433 batting average with 6 doubles and 29 RBI. Benton catcher Brinson Williams is hitting .479 with 6 home runs, 14 doubles and 31 RBI.
Benton is making its first appearance in the state championship game since winning it all in 2009, but the Panthers reached the state semifinals in four of the previous five seasons.
"We didn't set a goal this season to make it to the championship game," Balisterri said. "Our goal was to win the last game we played."
Sports on 05/22/2015