Baseball Game Preview: Vernon Yellowjackets vs. Altha Wildcats

Vernon is 7-2 against Altha since February of 2016 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Friday. The Yellowjackets will be playing in front of their home fans against the Wildcats at 6:00 p.m.

Altha is facing Vernon at the wrong time: Vernon suffered their first home loss of the season on Monday and they're likely out for redemption. They took a 6-3 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Gators.

Russel Smith

Stolen Base

03/09/26 vs Wewahitchka	2
03/06/26 vs Graceville	2
03/05/26 vs Laurel Hill	1

Russel Smith was cooking despite his team's loss, going 2-for-3 with two stolen bases and two runs. He has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last three times he's played. Another player making a difference was Parker Gibson, who went 1-for-2 with two stolen bases and one run.

Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Altha, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Tuesday. Everything went their way against Wakulla Christian School on Thursday as they made off with a 17-11 win. The result was nothing new for the Wildcats, who have now won five contests by six runs or more so far this season.

Tripp Hill was a standout: he went a perfect 4-for-4 with five stolen bases, five runs, and two RBI. With that strong performance, he is now averaging an impressive 2.1 runs per game. The team also got some help courtesy of Will O'Bryan, who went 3-for-5 with three stolen bases, four RBI, and two runs.

Altha always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .538. They are a perfect 5-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.

Vernon's loss dropped their record down to 7-4. As for Altha, their victory bumped their record up to 5-3.

Vernon came out on top in a nail-biter against Altha in their previous matchup back in March of 2025, sneaking past 8-7. Do the Yellowjackets have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Wildcats turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.