Baseball Recap: Benton Takes a Loss

Benton extended their losing streak to 12 on Thursday, dropping their season record down to 4-16 in the process. They were two runs away from ending the streak, but they lost a 5-3 heartbreaker at the hands of the Herrin Tigers. The Rangers were given a dose of their own medicine in this game as the Tigers apparently hadn't forgotten their loss the last time these teams played back in April of 2023.

Kruz Koester put in work no matter where he played. He didn't allow a single earned run over 5.1 innings pitched. What's more, he gave up only three walks, the fewest he's had since back in March. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-2 with two runs and one stolen base.

Koester wasn't the only one making solid contact as four players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Hunter Irvin, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases and one RBI.

As for Herrin, their record now sits at 8-10. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win they have posted against Benton since April 1, 2019.

Like Benton, Herrin also got a great game from a two-way player: Jaxon Hudson. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing five innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off five hits. Hudson is becoming a predictor of Herrin's success: when he allows at most one earned run the team is 2-1 (and 6-9 when he doesn't). Hudson was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with two RBI, one run, and one double.

Benton didn't take long to hit the field again: they've already played their next game, a 10-6 victory against Frankfort on the 25th. As for Herrin, they also wasted no time getting back out on the field and have already played their next match, a 9-4 defeat against Harrisburg on the 28th.