Rams set to host Benton at 5 p.m. Friday
The Kemper Academy Rams were able to check baseball coach Colt Kilpatrick’s first goal of the season off the list, and that was to make it past the first round of playoffs. The Rams did that by defeating North Sunflower Academy in two straight games 12-1 and 11-1.
Next up for the Rams is a second-round series against a strong Benton Academy team. Kemper paid a visit to Benton on Tuesday and will host the second game of the best-of-three series at 5 p.m. on Friday. A third game, if necessary, will also be played Friday.
The Rams were electric both on the mound and at the plate this week in their first round series win over North Sunflower Academy. Zane Knight was on a tear in the Rams 12-1 Game one win with 10 strikeouts, only one hit, and only one walk while pitching a complete game.
“He’s been on it, he’s been keeping players off balance and hitting his spots,” Kilpatrick said. “Knight faced a total of 20 batters meaning he struck out 50 percent of all batters he faced. The Rams were on fire at the plate too, with Knight going 3-4 with all hits being doubles. Casen Holmes went 2-2 and the Rams combined for 11 hits.
Things weren’t much different in Game two, as Eli Weaver dominated on the mound to lead KA to a 11-1 win. Weaver struck out six, while only allowing three hits and two walks. Weaver also went 2-4 at the plate and scored two runs.
The Rams will now face Benton, who is lead by Southern Miss commit J.B. Middleton. However, Kilpatrick knows his team can win. “It would not shock me at all”, Kilpatrick said. “We are talented enough and have enough belief.” He knows his team will need confidence heading into this matchup. “Everyone is stepping up when it matters most,” Kilpatrick said.