Bennett hasn't had much luck against Sterling recently, but that could start to change on Saturday. Bennett will venture away from home to face off against Sterling at 1:00 p.m. Bennett is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7 runs per game this season.
It was a proper cat-fight when Bennett took on Middle Park on Thursday. The Tigers' pitcher stepped up to hand the Panthers an 8-0 shutout. The win continues a trend for the Tigers in their matchups with the Panthers: they've now won six in a row.
Brody Hawes was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run while striking out nine over seven innings pitched. He also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Bennett is 2-1 when he allows at most three earned runs, but 5-6 otherwise. Hawes was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with three stolen bases, two RBI, and one run. Those three stolen bases gave him a new career-high.
Ben Mathis
| 04/17/25 vs Middle Park | 6 |
| 04/07/25 vs Alameda | 2 |
| 04/14/25 vs Arvada | 1 |
| 04/10/25 @ Platte Canyon | 1 |
| 04/04/25 vs North Fork | 1 |
In other batting news, Ben Mathis was incredible, going 2-for-4 with six stolen bases, one run, and one RBI. Those six stolen bases gave him a new career-high. Avant Dickens was another key player, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with two stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI.
Bennett hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. They are 2-1 when they post two or more strikeouts.
Meanwhile, it may have taken nine innings to finish the job, but Sterling ultimately got the result they hoped for on Tuesday. They won by a run and slipped past Eaton 9-8. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Tigers have posted against the Reds since March 26, 2019.
Dayten DiOrio and Ethan Felzien made a big impact no matter where they played. Throwing, DiOrio pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Felzien tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. DiOrio has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive appearances. At the plate, DiOrio got on base in three of his six plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI, while Felzien went 2-for-4 with one RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Memphis Dempcy, who went 4-for-5 with three RBI, one stolen base, and one run. Caysen Bamford also deserves some recognition as he snagged his first stolen base of the season.
Sterling's win was their third straight at home, which pushed their record up to 6-2. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.0 runs over those games. As for Bennett, the win got them back to even at 7-7.
Bennett came up short against Sterling in their previous matchup back in March of 2024, falling 13-8. Can Bennett avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
