Gentry beats Ft. Smith, claims Babe Ruth title

BENTONVILLE -- Fort Smith looked to have seized the momentum in the fifth inning of the Senior Babe Ruth North state baseball tournament finals Sunday evening, but Gentry grabbed it right back.

The Gentry Rebels scored seven runs on only two hits in the bottom of the fifth to grab an 8-4 victory and claim the 18-and-under state title at Phillips Park.

Gentry, which cruised through the double-elimination tournament undefeated, will now advance to play in the Southwest Regional tournament in Nederland, Texas, July 18-22.

The Rebels took advantage of five walks and a Fort Smith error to turn a 3-1 deficit into an 8-3 lead. That came after Fort Smith snapped a 1-1 tie with two runs in the top of the inning and Gentry manager Shawn Haag was ejected for arguing with the umpire.

Haag didn't see the rally since he was forced to leave the park, but he also said his team needed a wakeup call.

Austin Hunt's two-run double capped the big inning, but Zac Jones and Cash Hayes each drew bases-loaded walks. Trent Osburn also added a run-scoring double.

C.J. Taylor finished out the victory on the mound, picking up the complete-game victory. The right-hander allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits. He struck out 11, walked one and hit a batter.

Taylor, who also went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored at the plate, got a little redemption with his big performance in the state finals, according to Haag.

"He pitched in the state finals in the spring as a sophomore at Kansas, Okla.," said Haag, who is Taylor's uncle.

At Phillips Park

Bentonville

18u Division

Fort Smith 000 120 1 -- 4 7 Gentry 010 070 x -- 8 6

Ramos, Krepps (5) and Ray; Taylor and Barker.

Sports on 07/09/2014