Softball Recap: Benton Turns Things Around After Road Loss

Rangers

Margin (Wins)

03/27/25 vs Eldorado	26
04/01/25 vs Pope County	10
03/22/25 vs Zeigler-Royalton	8
03/24/25 vs Century	7
03/17/25 vs Norris City-Omaha-Enfield	6

There's no place like home for Benton, who bounced back after a loss on the road last Friday. They were the clear victors by a 16-6 margin over the Pope County Pirates on Tuesday. Considering the Rangers have won five contests by more than five runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.

Avery Thomas (2027) made a big impact no matter where she played. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run while striking out eight over five innings pitched. Thomas (2027) was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three RBI and two doubles.

In other batting news, Jaycee Webb (2027) and Marli Klus (2025) did most of the damage at the plate: Webb (2027) got on base in four of her five plate appearances with three stolen bases, three runs, and four RBI, while Klus (2025) went a perfect 4-for-4 with four RBI, one triple, and one run. Webb (2027) is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as she's now snagged at least one in each of the last three games she's played. Amelia Owens was another key player, scoring three runs and stealing two bases while going 3-for-4.

Benton was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .586. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .345 or higher in three consecutive games.

Benton's victory was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 5-4. The home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 17.3 runs over those games. As for Pope County, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-6.

Coming up, Benton will head out on the road to challenge Johnston City at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. As for Pope County, they will welcome Gallatin County at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The matchup will give the Pirates their first taste of in-conference action this season.