The Rudder Rangers will venture away from home to square off against the Montgomery Bears at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Rudder is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.6 runs per game this season.
Having struggled with four defeats in a row, Rudder turned things around against Liberal Arts & Science Academy - Austin on Tuesday. They blew past the Raptors 11-3. The Rangers not only won on Tuesday, but they posted their biggest win since February 27th.
Jose Ponce made a splash no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than two hits in nine consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing two bases while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
In other pitching news, Jayden Gonzalez tossed a big game, pitching five innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off seven hits. What's more, he gave up only zero walks, the fewest he's had since back in February.
Aiden Gray
| 03/25/25 vs Liberal Arts & Science Academy - Austin | 3 |
| 03/18/25 @ Huntsville | 2 |
| 03/07/25 vs Liberal Arts & Science Academy - Austin | 2 |
| 03/21/25 vs Huntsville | 1 |
| 03/03/25 @ McCallum | 1 |
Back at the plate, the team relied heavily on Aiden Gray, who scored two runs and stole three bases while going 3-for-4. Those three hits gave him a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Juan Marquez, who scored a run while going 2-for-3.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Montgomery, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Tuesday. They won by a run and slipped past College Station 5-4. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Bears have posted since March 1st.
Beckam Whiteside looked comfortable as he tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits.
On the hitting side, Montgomery's win was truly a team effort as seven different players contributed at least one hit. One of them was Drake Cox, who scored a run while going 2-for-3. Another was Grant Richardson, who scored a run while going 2-for-4.
Rudder picked up their first home victory, bumping their record up to 11-6-2. As for Montgomery, their win ended a three-game drought at home and bumped them up to 12-8-2.
Tuesday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Rudder has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .451. However, it's not like Montgomery struggles in that department as they've averaged .436. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Rudder suffered a grim 10-0 defeat to Montgomery in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Can Rudder avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
