The Bluffton Tigers will head out on the road to take on the Bellmont Braves at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Bluffton is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.8 runs per game this season.
Bluffton took a loss when they played away from home on Saturday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Monday. They came out on top in a nail-biter against Norwell, sneaking past 8-6. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Tigers have posted against the Knights since May 12, 2018.
Axton Beste
| 04/21/25 vs Norwell | 4 |
| 04/19/25 @ Oak Hill | 3 |
| 04/15/25 vs Manchester | 3 |
| 04/12/25 vs Taylor | 3 |
| 04/08/25 vs New Haven | 3 |
The team relied heavily on Axton Beste, who went 3-for-4 with four RBI. Those four RBI gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Xzavier Driscoll, who went 2-for-4 with two runs and one double.
Meanwhile, Bellmont had to endure a three-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. They came out on top against Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian by a score of 5-0 on Monday.
Not much got past Beau Baker, who gave up just two hits and racked up 13 Ks to keep Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian off the board. Baker has been consistent recently: he hasn't tossed less than nine strikeouts in three consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, Gavin Krull was excellent, going 1-for-3 with three stolen bases, two RBI, and one run. Those stolen bases were his first of the season. Aidan Zimmerman was another key player, getting on base in two of his three plate appearances with two stolen bases and one run.
Bluffton pushed their record up to 7-4 with the win, which was their sixth straight at home. The home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.8 runs over those games. As for Bellmont, their record is now 2-3.
Bellmont's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Bluffton has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .447. It's a different story for Bellmont, though, as they've only averaged .307. Will they be able to contain Bluffton's hitters?
Everything went Bluffton's way against Bellmont when the teams last played back in April of 2024, as Bluffton made off with a 13-3 win. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Tigers since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
