Van Buren Pointers pound ball in 25-6 rout

Trevor Johnson drove in six runs in Tuesday’s extended high school game with Greenwood. And, as much fun as the 25-6 win over Greenwood felt Tuesday night, Johnson may be haunted for awhile when it comes to reliving Van Buren’s 6-5 semifinals loss to eventual 7A state champion Har-Ber. The bus ride back to Crawford County was a tough one. “It was tough for a few weeks there,” Johnson said. “That was definitely a hard one.” Johnson and the Pointers scored at least four runs in all five innings, and the soon-to-be senior wasn’t alone. Teammate Jackson Hurst had four hits and seven RBIs. Fourteen early runs were plenty for winning pitcher Cade Wallace. “We’re trying to get back to where we were last year,” Johnson said. “We’re trying to get to the state championship game, and I think we can.” Related More Van Buren Pointers baseball The Pointers will count on Johnson’s 9 wins from 2018. And, if Wallace and Dakota Peters pitch well, Van Buren may make another run at the 7A-West title. “I just have to pitch like I did last year and contribute more at the plate,” Johnson said. “I need to step it up at the plate.” Johnson and teammate Landrey Wilkerson are among six seniors who’ll take the senior leadership, Johnson said. Hurst started Tuesday’s win with an RBI single. Johnson followed with a two-run double, and Seth Humphrey’s two-out RBI single made it 4-0. Hurst, Johnson and Laiken Stikeleader delivered two-out RBI singles in a four-run second. Hurst had a two-run double as part of a six-run third inning. “It’s always fun to score a lot of runs,” Johnson said. The aggressive Pointers stole five bases in the first two innings. Van Buren had eight stolen bases in all. Peters and Hurst scored five runs apiece in the win. For Greenwood, losing pitcher Jace Presley had three RBIs, including a two-run double in the third inning.

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Van Buren High School Athletics

VAN BUREN POINTERS POUND BALL IN 25-6 ROUT

KEVIN TAYLOR

Times Record | 6/6/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Jamie Mitchell