The Benton Rangers will head out on the road to face off against the Herrin Tigers at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Benton has given up an average of 8.4 runs per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Benton's last matchup with Hamilton County could've gone either way, but unfortunately the same can't be said for the pair's contest on Wednesday. The Rangers lost 20-9 to the Foxes. The defeat continues a trend for the Rangers in their meetings with the Foxes: they've now lost seven in a row.
Benton saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Carlie James (2026), who fired off two home runs and four RBI while going 2-for-3. James (2026) also scored two runs, marking her first of the season. Lucy Giacone (2025) was another, going 1-for-3 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Meanwhile, after soaring to 12 runs the game before, Herrin was a bit more limited in their game on Wednesday. They fell 6-2 to Goreville.
Sophia Schramm spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and three unearned) runs on six hits and racked up seven Ks.
On the hitting side, Branson Hill was cooking despite her team's loss, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one double and one RBI.
Herrin has also traveled a rocky road recently, having lost four of their last five matchups. That's put a noticeable dent in their 11-15 record this season. As for Benton, they now have a losing record of 13-14.
Benton's speedy runners might be the difference in Thursday's contest. The Rangers have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.4 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Herrin, though, as they've been averaging only 1.2 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Benton continue to outrun the ball?
Benton might still be hurting after the 13-3 loss they got from Herrin in their previous meeting back in April. Can the Rangers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
