The Beechwood Tigers will head out to face off against the Dixie Heights Colonels at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Beechwood is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.9 runs per game this season.
Beechwood is probably headed into the matchup with a chip on their shoulder considering Campbell County just ended the team's seven-game winning streak on Wednesday. They fell just short of the Camels by a score of 5-3. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest loss the Tigers have suffered since March 26th.
Beechwood got a good showing from Brant Stiles, who pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. That's the fewest earned runs Stiles has allowed over his last three contests.
On the hitting side, Chase Flaherty made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and went 3-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Dixie Heights let Grant County stack four runs on them in the third inning on Wednesday but luckily Dixie Heights prevailed anyway. The Colonels won by a run and slipped past the Braves 8-7.
Owen Stulz was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He didn't allow a single earned run over four innings pitched. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in four consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with two runs and one double. He is becoming a predictor of Dixie Heights' success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 4-12-1 when he doesn't).
In other batting news, Oliver Linstruth and Will Steczynski did most of the damage at the plate: Linstruth went 2-for-3 with two runs, one double, and one RBI, while Steczynski went 2-for-4 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base. Steczynski has become a key player for Dixie Heights: the team is 4-1 when he posts at least two runs, but 4-11-1 otherwise. The team also got some help courtesy of Cameron Schroer, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI and one double.
Dixie Heights kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. That's the most hits they've posted since back in May of 2024.
Dixie Heights has been performing well recently as they've won three of their last four games. That's provided a massive bump to their 8-12-1 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 6.3 runs over those games. As for Beechwood, their defeat dropped their record down to 17-6.
Dixie Heights' pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Beechwood has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .436. It's a different story for Dixie Heights, though, as they've only averaged .335. Will they be able to contain Beechwood's hitters?
Beechwood beat Dixie Heights 4-0 in their previous meeting last Tuesday. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Tigers since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
