BTown Sports Network is created by Benton EAST Students (l. to r.) Jaleal’l Percy, Jenner Chambers, and Deagan Mitchell. See archive at www.mysaline.com/benton-east.
It’s time for Spring sports and the BTown Sports Network is giving you a first look at 2026 Benton Panthers Baseball & Softball.
🎬Watch the video interviews of Coaches Heidi Cox, Ryan Forte, and player Marcus Bates, 👀plus the fellas break it down in words in this week’s BTown report.👇🏼
The Benton Panthers go into the 2026 season with a very experienced team led by standout shortstop Senior Marcus Bates.
The Panthers return a lot of experience on the mound, led by Senior Evan Campbell, Junior Blake Mitchem, and Junior Sawyer Wilson. After a stellar 23-9 finish in 2025, the Panthers are expected to compete for a top spot in the 5A-Central.
The Lady Panther softball team is feeling great after coming off a 31-2 record and another 5A State Championship victory over rival Sheridan. Benton has built a softball powerhouse, looking for their 6th State Championship. They’re looking to go back-to-back since the 3-peat in 21, 22, 23.
The Lady Panthers return an experienced Senior class: Adisson Miles, Cameron Culclager, Anna Claire Lackey, Payton Stewart, and Azzy Morrow. Along with an experienced Senior class, they return Junior Rexie Crane to the circle.
Coach Cox is super excited about the returning seniors and the leadership and motivation they bring to the team.
It should be an exciting spring around the diamond for Benton Baseball and Softball, with high expectations from both programs.
BTown Sports Network is created by Benton EAST Students (l. to r.) Jaleal’l Percy, Jenner Chambers, and Deagan Mitchell. See archive at www.mysaline.com/benton-east.
You can see all of the archived articles by EAST students, at www.mysaline.com/benton-east. Email comments directly to their class at [email protected].
The mission of the EAST Initiative is to provide an environment that fosters relevant, individualized life-changing experiences through service and technology. EAST is built on four principles. It’s technology driven, student led, service based, and collaborative.
•
