The Middleton Vikings will head out on the road to take on the Owyhee Storm at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Both teams are coming into the match red-hot, with Middleton sitting on 11 straight wins and Owyhee on six.
Middleton is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Thursday. They blew past Centennial 10-4. Considering the Vikings have won 11 games by more than five runs this season, Thursday's blowout was nothing new.
Ryan Collins
| 05/01/25 vs Centennial | 2 |
| 04/25/25 vs Meridian | 1 |
| 04/18/25 @ Centennial | 0 |
| 04/04/25 @ Ridgevue | 4 |
Ryan Collins was a major factor no matter where he played. He tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. What's more, he posted two strikeouts, the most he's had since back in April. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. He is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now snagged at least one in each of the last three games he's played.
In other pitching news, Ian Lenius looked comfortable as he struck out seven batters over four innings while giving up four earned runs off five hits (and only one walk). He has been consistent: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in six consecutive appearances.
Back at the plate, Jeremiah Keithley was a standout: he went 2-for-3 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. Cam Lenius was another key player, going 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Owyhee faced Eagle in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Friday. The Storm narrowly escaped with a victory as the squad sidled past the Mustangs 2-0. That's two games straight that the Storm have won by exactly two runs.
The result came thanks to Heath Sasser-Gunson's shutout, as he gave up just a hit and racked up 11 Ks. Those 11 strikeouts set a new season-high mark for him.
At the plate, Owyhee let Gage Haws and Matt Robertson run wild. Haws went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases and one run, while Robertson went 1-for-2 with one stolen base, one run, and one double. That double marked the first that Robertson has hit this season.
Owyhee pushed their record up to 22-1 with the win, which was their 21st straight at home dating back to last season. Those home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.3 runs on average over those games. As for Middleton, their record now sits at 18-3.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Friday as neither team is afraid to steal. Middleton has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.6 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Owyhee struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 4.4 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Middleton might still be hurting after the 7-1 defeat they got from Owyhee when the teams last played back in April. Can the Vikings avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
