Tigers on a roll

Bentonville coach Todd Abbott said his team's chemistry is the reason for its 4-0 start in the 6A-West Conference. "These guys are all in for each other," Abbott said. "You can just see it." The Tigers (9-2, 4-0 6A-West) have managed to come up with key hits late to win three of their four league games. Wes Stang's two-run double in the seventh snapped a 3-3 tie and gave Bentonville a 5-3 win over Van Buren on Tuesday. Keaton Cloyd then snapped a 1-1 tie with an RBI-double over the center fielder's head in the sixth inning en route to a 3-2 win Wednesday. "It's not just one guy," Abbott said. "It's really been a different guy getting it done every day." Bentonville started league play with a big 6-3 extra-inning win over defending Class 6A state champion Springdale Har-Ber. The Tigers scored three times in the top of the eighth after two men were out. The group has also come together with only three or four core returners. Cloyd, a senior and junior Levi Bennett are two of several players, who moved from role players to prime-time this season, Abbott said. "Levi plays second and short and will pitch a little for us," Abbott said. "Keaton plays some third base. They've been solid defensively and just done a great job for us." The Tigers have also gotten solid pitching for a variety of contributors. "We've thrown eight, nine, 10 guys, and all these guys are throwing strikes," Abbott said. "That always gives you an opportunity for success." Bentonville will play in Bartlesville, Okla., over the weekend before taking on Rogers Heritage in conference play next week.

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TIGERS ON A ROLL

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Arkansas Online | 3/30/2019

PHOTO CREDIT: Bentonville Athletics