California is 8-2 against Bentworth since May of 2015 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Monday. The Trojans will welcome the Bearcats at 4:30 p.m. California is coming into the matchup hot, having won their last three games.
Last Wednesday, California was able to grind out a solid victory over Bethlehem Center, taking the game 10-6.
Weston Monticelli made a big impact no matter where he played. He tossed 6.1 innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off five hits. What's more, he posted five strikeouts, the most he's had since back in April of 2024. He was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 3-for-4.
Kaden Weston
| 04/09/25 @ Bethlehem Center | 4 |
| 04/25/24 vs Bentworth | 3 |
| 04/08/25 vs Bethlehem Center | 2 |
| 04/01/25 @ Burgettstown | 1 |
| 03/27/25 @ McGuffey | 1 |
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Kaden Weston, who scored two runs and stole two bases while going 4-for-5. Those four hits gave him a new career-high. Colton Lowden was another key player, scoring two runs while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
California always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .538. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their OBP total in three consecutive games.
Meanwhile, Bentworth can bid farewell to their four-game losing streak thanks to their game on Wednesday. They came out on top against Chartiers-Houston by a score of 6-3.
Like California, Bentworth also got a great game from a two-way player: Sam Wade. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over seven innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off eight hits. Wade was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and one double. That double marked the first that he hit this season.
In other batting news, Lucas Burt was incredible, going 2-for-4 with one home run, two runs, and one triple. He is becoming a predictor of Bentworth's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 2-1 (and 0-4 when he doesn't). The team also got some help courtesy of Ben Hayes, who scored a run while going 3-for-4.
California's win bumped their record up to 3-4-1. As for Bentworth, the victory was their first on the road , bumping their record up to 2-5.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. California has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Bentworth struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 6.9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
California took their win against Bentworth when the teams last played back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 14-7 score. Will the Trojans repeat their success, or do the Bearcats have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
