Benton’s Bryson Pierce overcomes ‘devastating’ day to lead Tigers in LHSAA quarters

Bryson Pierce remembers his worst sports day like it was yesterday. He’d had a preseason arm injury that he believed to be healed, so he took the mound in the first outing of his senior season against Cedar Creek.

Pierce wanted to show his team and the Benton faithful that they could count on his arm to be a shut-down appendage. But that didn’t happen.

“My goal was to be back 100% by the playoffs,” Pierce said. “Unfortunately, when I was released to try to pitch against Cedar Creek, I was not able to. Having to call for coach to come get me off the mound was probably the hardest thing I have ever done in baseball. This happening at the start of my senior season was pretty devastating.”

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But Pierce, who is hitting .375, has found other ways to contribute to a Tigers’ team that will visit St. Amant (26-10) Friday and Saturday in the LHSAA Non-Select Division I quarterfinals. Benton (29-9) has posted 2-0 sweeps of Denham Springs and Dutchtown to land on the verge of the state semifinals in Sulphur’s McMurry Park.

“Bryson has still come on strong being a leader on our team and being one of our top hitters,” Benton coach Dane Peavy said. "Not being able to contribute in the way he has always been able to contribute has made him really tap into a mentor to these young pitchers to make them better."

Pierce has turned to defense, hitting and leadership to help push his team into contention. He’s also tried to cut down on the crazy antics teenage boys are known for.

In February, Piece, Hudson Brignac, Cody Whilhite and Braden Pierce swam across a pond at approximately 2 a.m. because one of them had seen an inspirational video by David Goggins.

“The pond was freezing cold and none of us could really swim because we were laughing so much,” Whilhite said.

Pierce is a pretty simple guy. When he isn’t in class, playing baseball or eating, he can be found in the woods hunting or on the lake fishing. He lost his favorite hunting partner, his “Papaw,” last June, but there’s still another favorite person in his life.

“I love my Mama,” he said. “I am definitely a Mama’s boy.”

Because of his injury, he’s not sure if his baseball career will extend past high school so he may turn to sports medicine as a college major. And he’d definitely like to turn back the clock to his freshman year.

“Time goes by too fast, and this has been the best four years of my life,” Pierce said. “And I know how important my schoolwork is.”

Bryson Pierce file

His greatest fear: “Letting people down.”

Country he’d most like to visit: USA

Favorite subject in school: “None of them really.”

Favorite food or restaurant: Mexican (Sam Miquel)

Person he most admires: “My dad. He has given to a great example of the man I want to be.

Future profession: Baseball/sports medicine/fireman

Go-to app: Snap Chat

Toughest opponent: West Monroe

Favorite article of clothing: “My Sitka gear”

Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.

LHSAA baseball playoffs

Thursday games

North DeSoto at Lutcher, 6 p.m.

Lakeside at DeQuincy, 5:30 p.m.

Calvary at University Lab, 5 p.m.

Friday games

Benton at St. Amant, 6:30 p.m.

Acadiana at Northwood, 6 p.m.

Minden at North Vermilion, 6 p.m.

Evangel at St. Thomas More, 6 p.m.

Doyle at Red River, 6 p.m.

Quitman at Stanley, 5:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Benton’s Bryson Pierce overcomes ‘devastating’ day to lead Tigers