Baseball Game Preview: Sterling Rangers vs. Port Arthur Memorial Titans

For the second straight game, Sterling will face off against Port Arthur Memorial. The Rangers will head out to challenge the Titans at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. The teams are on pretty different trajectories at the moment (Sterling has five straight wins, Port Arthur Memorial has six straight losses), but none of that matters once you're on the field.

Port Arthur Memorial's hitters are going to have their work cut out for them on Thursday: Sterling hadn't allowed a single run the last three times they've hit the field. The Rangers' pitcher stepped up to hand the Titans a 3-0 shutout on Tuesday.

David Benavides

Base on Balls Against

03/18/25 vs Port Neches-Groves	3
02/17/25 vs Splendora	3
04/01/25 vs West Brook	1
03/06/25 vs Oak Ridge	1
02/24/25 vs Friendswood	1

Not much got past David Benavides, who gave up just four hits and racked up six Ks to keep Port Arthur Memorial off the board. Benavides also tossed no walks, which is notable because Sterling is 6-3 when he allows at most one walk, but 6-9 otherwise.

On the hitting side, Ashton Butler was excellent, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-3. Joel Salazar also deserves some recognition as he hit his first triple of the season.

Sterling hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their strikeout total in three consecutive contests.

Port Arthur Memorial's defeat dropped their record down to 3-12. As for Sterling, the victory got them back to even at 12-12.

Sterling's speedy runners might be the difference in Thursday's matchup. The Rangers have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.8 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Port Arthur Memorial, though, as they've been averaging only 0.9 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Sterling continue to outrun the ball? Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other baseball content.