The Northwest Area Rangers will challenge the Benton Tigers at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Northwest Area is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.1 runs per game this season.
On Tuesday, Northwest Area beat Millville 8-4.
Dominic Cavuto
| 04/29/25 @ Millville | 3 |
| 04/24/25 @ Sugar Valley Rural | 2 |
| 05/09/24 vs Columbia Montour Vo-Tech | 1 |
| 05/06/24 @ Lake-Lehman | 1 |
| 04/29/24 vs Wyalusing Valley | 2 |
| 04/22/24 @ Neumann Regional Academy | 8 |
Dominic Cavuto made a big impact no matter where he played. He pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs off one hit. What's more, he posted three strikeouts, the most he's had since back in April of 2024. He was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with one home run and four runs.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Roman Bednarek, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles. Those three hits gave him a new career-high.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Benton, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Thursday. They never let Columbia Montour Vo-Tech get on the board and left with a 10-0 victory on Monday. The win continues a trend for the Tigers in their matchups with the Rams: they've now won seven in a row.
Like Northwest Area, Benton also got a great game from a two-way player: Cam Davis. On the mound, Davis didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits over four innings pitched. Meanwhile, Ben Farwell pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He also tossed a walk, which is notable because Benton is undefeated when he allows at most one walk, but 3-4 otherwise. At the plate, Davis went 1-for-2 with one run and one RBI, while Farwell went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one triple. That triple was Farwell's first of the season.
In other batting news, Layne Latorra was incredible, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI. Benton is undefeated when Latorra posts two or more runs, but 2-4 otherwise.
Northwest Area is on a roll lately: they've won six of their last seven contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 10-4 record this season. The victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.9 runs over those games. As for Benton, their win was their third straight at home, which pushed their record up to 7-4.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Northwest Area has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Benton struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Northwest Area skirted past Benton 4-3 in their previous meeting back in March. Will the Rangers repeat their success, or do the Tigers have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
