The Altha Wildcats and the Malone Tigers, after both having extra time off, will shake off the cobwebs and hit the field at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. Altha has given up an average of 9.9 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Altha is coming in off a wild two-game stretch: after soaring to 20 runs last Tuesday, they were much more limited against Liberty County last Thursday. They lost 12-2 to the Bulldogs. The Wildcats haven't had much luck with the Bulldogs recently, as the team has come up short the last six times they've met.
Meanwhile, Malone entered their tilt with Poplar Springs last Thursday with three consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with four. They blew past the Atomics 15-2. Considering the Tigers have won seven contests by more than nine runs this season, Thursday's blowout was nothing new.
Trenton Jordan and Kris Smith made a splash no matter where they played. On the mound, Jordan pitched three innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off two hits. Meanwhile, Smith tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances. At bat, Jordan went 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI, while Smith went a perfect 4-for-4 with three stolen bases, four runs, and one triple. With that strong performance, Smith is now averaging an impressive 2.1 runs per game.
In other batting news, TJ Rich was excellent, going 1-for-2 with three RBI, one stolen base, and one run. He also put up a double, which was his first of the season. Christian Morales was another key player, going 1-for-3 with three runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Malone was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .385. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Poplar Springs only posted a batting average of .176.
Malone's win bumped their record up to 9-3. As for Altha, their loss dropped their record down to 6-5.
Monday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Altha has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .585. However, it's not like Malone struggles in that department as they've averaged .506. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Altha got the 'W' in their previous matchup back in March of 2025 against Malone by a conclusive 12-0 score. Will the Wildcats repeat their success, or do the Tigers have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
