Freshman Isaac Bennett gets a game-ending strikeout for the Hawks.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Triton held off visiting Pine Forest, a 4-A program, for a 14-13 varsity baseball win in the All American Conference on Wednesday night.

The 3-A Hawks improved to 12-7 overall and 9-3 in league play going into a game on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Harnett Central (6-12, 5-7). Triton hosts Central on Friday at 7 p.m. for the Hawks’ Senior Night.

“With three games in three days it’s always nice to win the first one,” said Triton coach Jake Willis. “We threw a couple of guys that haven’t gotten a whole lot of innings this year and they battled.

“We hit the ball when we needed to and made things happen on the bases. We had a few miscues defensively but nothing we can’t fix moving forward.”

Tucker Brown started on the mound for the Hawks, who dropped an earlier matchup with Pine Forest, 5-2, on the road on April 8. Triton put up five runs in the bottom of the first and led the rest of the way in the rematch on Wednesday.

Anthony Jones turned in a relief stint and the Hawks were on top, 14-9, going to the top of the seventh when Willis brought in ace right-hander Hayden Pope to close, but the visitors hit some good pitches and Triton missed some out opportunities.

The situation put the potential tying run at third base with two out when Willis went to freshman right-hander Isaac Bennett with Keyshun Taylor, Pine Forest’s football quarterback and leadoff hitter in baseball, coming to the plate.

Bennett got Taylor swinging to earn the save.

Pine Forest fell to 7-10 overall and 4-7 in league play with a number of forfeits nullifying wins due to an ineligible player.

Triton first baseman Ross Stevens gets a hit in a 14-13 win on Wednesday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)