Baseball Game Preview: Benjamin Russell Wildcats vs. Chilton County Tigers

Benjamin Russell is preparing for their first region matchup of the season on Tuesday. A feisty cat fight will be fought as Benjamin Russell Wildcats face off against Chilton County Tigers at 5:00 p.m. The last four games they have played have been within two runs, so don't be surprised if it's a close one.

Benjamin Russell took a loss when they played away from home on Tuesday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Wednesday. They won by a run and slipped past Wetumpka 5-4.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Chilton County). They were the clear victors by a 19-9 margin over Foley on Thursday. The high-scoring effort was just what the Tigers needed considering they were shut out in their previous matchup.

Ethan Benson made a splash no matter where he played. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run while striking out seven over six innings pitched. Furthermore, he didn't allow a single earned run, the first time he has blanked an opponent since back in February. He was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 2-for-4. That's the most hits he has posted over his last eight games.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Stephen Cromer, who went 3-for-5 with four RBI, two runs, and one triple. That's the most hits he has posted since back in February. Josh Parker was another key player, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-4.

Chilton County always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .543. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Chilton County is on a roll lately: they've won three of their last four contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 14-12 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.5 runs over those games. Benjamin Russell's victory bumped their record up to 8-10-1.

Benjamin Russell came up short against Chilton County when the teams last played back in February of 2024, falling 11-7. Can Benjamin Russell avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.