By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports

Benton made the long trek down to south Louisiana and came up on the short end of a 2-1 Class 5A first-round baseball playoff game to Ponchatoula Monday.

The 19th seeded Tigers got a sterling pitching performance from Cale Latimer who allowed five hits and two runs, one earned. He walked six and struck out nine. Bryson Pierce came on in relief in the sixth inning and struck out the two batters he faced.

Ponchatoula, the 14th seed, got its runs in the fourth inning on a bases-loaded passed ball followed by a Cole Landry single to erase a 1-0 Benton lead.

Benton (20-12-2) scored its run in the second inning when Bryson Pierce led off with a single and scored on an error on a sacrifice bunt by Cole Weir.

Ponchatoula pitcher Lakin Polk got the win with a complete game allowing three hits. He walked one and struck out seven.

Ponchatoula (22-9) advances to play the winner of Central-Baton Rouge vs. Alexandria in the second round.

The last time Benton lost a first-round playoff game was 2012 when it dropped a 3-2 decision to Alexandria. The Tigers were an 18th seed that year, the last time the Tigers started the playoffs with a road game.

Last year Benton was eliminated by Dutchtown in a second-round series which marked the first time it had not advanced to at least the quarterfinals since 2012.

Photo by JOHN JAMES MARSHALL