The Richland County Tigers will challenge the Lawrenceville Indians at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Richland County will aim to continue their three-game streak of scoring more runs each match than the last.
Richland County is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They put the hurt on Flora with a sharp 14-4 win on Wednesday. The team's explosion at the plate also rewarded the Tigers with their most commanding win of the season.
Gavin Root
| 03/26/25 vs Cumberland | 3 |
| 04/16/25 @ Flora | 2 |
| 04/07/25 @ Oblong/Hutsonville/Palestine | 2 |
| 04/01/25 @ Fairfield | 2 |
| 04/15/25 @ Effingham | 1 |
| + 2 more games |
Richland County got a massive performance out of Gavin Root, who went 2-for-4 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs. The Tigers are 3-1 when Root posts two or more runs, but 3-7 otherwise. Cooper Hires was another key player, going 3-for-4 with five RBI, two runs, and one double.
Root wasn't the only one making solid contact: Richland County kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their hit total in three consecutive contests.
Meanwhile, after a string of three wins, Lawrenceville's good fortune finally ran out on Friday. They took an 8-3 hit to the loss column at the hands of North Clay/Clay City.
Emery Ivers made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and went 2-for-3 with one home run, two runs, and one double. Eli Vennard also deserves some recognition as he brought in his first RBI of the season.
Lawrenceville's loss dropped their record down to 5-2. As for Richland County, with the victory, they broke their four-game losing streak and moved their record to 6-8.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Richland County has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Lawrenceville struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Richland County came out on top in a nail-biter against Lawrenceville in their previous matchup back in May of 2024, sneaking past 5-4. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Tigers since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
