The Athens Golden Eagles are taking a road trip to challenge the Russellville Golden Tigers at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Athens is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.2 runs per game this season.
Athens was handed a heart-breaking two-run loss in their last game, but they sure didn't let that happen against West Morgan on Thursday. Athens blew past West Morgan 9-1. The Golden Eagles might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won four matchups by eight runs or more this season.
Ashton Dickey
| 03/13/25 vs West Morgan | 3 |
| 02/13/25 vs Huntsville | 2 |
| 02/26/24 @ Westminster Christian Academy | 2 |
| 03/03/25 vs James Clemens | 1 |
| 03/01/25 @ Ardmore | 1 |
Ashton Dickey made a big impact no matter where he played. On the mound, he tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. The dominant performance also gave him a new career-high in strikeouts (three). He was even better at the plate, scoring two runs and stealing Two bases. while going 3-for-3.
In other pitching news, Jaylen Malone tossed a big game, not allowing a single earned run over five innings pitched. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two walks any time he's pitched this season.
Back at the plate, Walker Fleming was incredible, scoring two runs and stealing Two bases. while going 3-for-4. That's the most hits he has posted since back in February. The team also got some help courtesy of Whit Griffis, who scored a run while going 1-for-3.
Meanwhile, Russellville had already won two in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 5 runs) and they went ahead and made it three on Thursday. They came out on top in a nail-biter against the Tigers, sneaking past 10-8. Russellville's victory was all the more impressive since the Tigers were averaging only 3.91 runs allowed on the season.
Ty Engelthaler looked comfortable as he kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out six over four innings pitched. The dominant performance also gave him a new career-low in earned runs (zero).
At the plate, Neyland Baker and Brennon Thorpe did most of the damage at the plate: Baker went 3-for-4 with four RBI, one run, and one double, while Thorpe scored three runs and stole Two bases. while getting on base in two of his four plate appearances. Thorpe continues to improve, besting his previous point total in each of the last three games he's played. Brayden Entrekin was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 1-for-3.
Athens' win was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 9-3. They've had to fight for that success though, as they only beat their opponents by an average of 3.25 runs across that stretch. As for Russellville, their record now sits at 10-4.
