The Benton Tigers will square off against the Columbia Montour Vo-Tech Rams at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this contest.
Benton had taken Northwest Area down for three straight games at home, but that winning streak came to an end on Monday. Benton fell just short of Northwest Area by a score of 4-3. The loss put an end to the Tigers' undefeated start to the season.
Layne Latorra
| 03/31/25 vs Northwest Area | 1 |
| 03/26/25 @ Sullivan County | 3 |
| 03/22/25 vs Sullivan County | 1 |
Layne Latorra was cooking despite his team's loss, going 2-for-3 with one triple, one stolen base, and two RBI. Latorra is crushing it when it comes to stolen bases: he's snagged at least one every time he's taken the field this season.
Meanwhile, Columbia Montour Vo-Tech was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their eighth straight defeat dating back to last season. They came up short against Sullivan County, falling 11-2.
Columbia Montour Vo-Tech got a big performance out of Logan Bracey, who scored a run and stole two bases while going 3-for-3. That's the most hits Bracey has posted since back in April of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Axton Koser, who scored a run and stole two bases while going 2-for-3.
Even though they lost, Columbia Montour Vo-Tech was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .419. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their batting average total in three consecutive matchups.
Columbia Montour Vo-Tech's loss dropped their record down to 0-4. As for Benton, their defeat was their first of the season and makes their record 2-1.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Wednesday as neither team is afraid to steal. Benton has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 5 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Columbia Montour Vo-Tech struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 3.2 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Everything went Benton's way against Columbia Montour Vo-Tech in their previous matchup back in May of 2024, as Benton made off with a 17-0 win. Will Benton repeat their success, or does Columbia Montour Vo-Tech has a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
