The Ashton-Franklin Center Raiders will venture away from home to face off against the Morrison Mustangs at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Ashton-Franklin Center is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.3 runs per game this season.
Ashton-Franklin Center had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 11-run drubbing they dealt Polo on Friday. The Raiders never let the Marcos get on the board and left with an 11-0 victory. Surprisingly, this marked the Raiders' fifth straight game in which the away team has come away the victor.
Caleb Thomas
| 05/02/25 @ Polo | 8 |
| 04/29/25 vs Polo | 3 |
| 04/24/25 vs Milledgeville | 7 |
| 04/23/25 vs Orangeville | 3 |
| 04/19/25 @ Stillman Valley | 4 |
| + 2 more games |
Caleb Thomas made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He didn't allow a single earned run while striking out eight over six innings pitched. That's the most strikeouts he has posted since back in April. He was also stellar in the batter's box, going a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI, one stolen base, and one run. He is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now snagged at least one in each of the last five games he's played.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Chase Near, who got on base in four of his five plate appearances with two runs and one RBI. Another player making a difference was Brock Lehman, who went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and two runs.
Ashton-Franklin Center kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in three consecutive games.
The scorekeeper got an easy start on Friday as neither Morrison nor Annawan-Wethersfield made it on the board until the fifth inning. The Mustangs walked away with a 3-0 win over the Titans. That's two games straight that the Mustangs have won by exactly three runs.
Ashton-Franklin Center has been performing well recently as they've won five of their last six contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 14-8 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.5 runs over those games. As for Morrison, they now have a winning record of 8-7.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Ashton-Franklin Center has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.5 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Morrison struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.2 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Ashton-Franklin Center couldn't quite get it done against Morrison in their previous meeting back in May of 2023 as they fell 13-9. Can the Raiders avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
