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ARLINGTON — On Tuesday night, the Arlington baseball team jumped out to an early lead on Arlington Bowie. However, as Bowie started showing life in the sixth inning, putting two runners on with one out, Arlington coach David Nix called upon one player — junior right-hander Eric Bingham — to get the Colts out of the jam.
On his second pitch, Bingham got Bowie to ground into an inning-ending double play, ending the threat. He worked a perfect seventh inning, leading the Colts to an 8-2 victory over the Volunteers.“He made me look good,” Nix said. “That’s what you hope for, but you don’t know. I saw him in eighth grade during a summer camp and he had a live arm. He gets the ball out of his hand quick and gets a lot of ground balls. It worked out [on Tuesday].”The win catapulted Arlington (11-15, 7-4 District 8-5A) into the driver’s seat to make the playoffs for the fourth time in six years. But the playoffs are far from certain for the Colts, although Bingham is scheduled to start two of the final three games, including Friday’s game at Cedar Hill.“This is going to be a tough stretch, but we can do it,” said Bingham, who features a two-seam fastball, changeup and curveball. “I really think we can make the playoffs.”Outside of baseball, though, Bingham is an avid car enthusiast, plays the guitar and has recently rekindled his interest in RC AirplanesHow did you get interested in working on cars?“I just started doing it this year. I learned from my dad and brother how to put parts and modifications into cars. I’d like to get an old car and fix it up.”What type of car do you want to restore?“Any car from 1964-72 like a Mustang or a Cougar. I wouldn’t want a Camaro because those are too collectible. I don’t want a real fast car, just one I can drive around. My dad, though, told me about a Ford Falcon he had in the 1960s. He put a 302 Cyclone Engine in it and it produced 500 horsepower. At least that’s what he told me.”You also play the guitar. Who are your influences?“I’m a classic guy. I like Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan. So many others I can’t even think of.”Are you in a band?“I was my freshman year, but with baseball, I haven’t had any time to get back into it.”And you also like flying remote controlled airplanes?“Yeah, we just got one [Tuesday]. We’re just now starting to build it. We got a foundation for it but need to do everything else like getting the engine and the transmitter ready, so it won’t be ready for about a month. My dad, brother and I are finally getting back into it, because about five years ago, all of our stuff was stolen.”
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