The Keystone Heights Indians will face off against the North Marion Colts at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. The two teams are strolling into their matches after big wins in their previous games.
Keystone Heights is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They were the clear victor by a 16-2 margin over Interlachen on Monday. The Indians have beaten the Rams the last six times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Rams has come to flipping the script.
Ty Mitzel and Destin Harnage made a big impact no matter where they played. Throwing, Mitzel tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Harnage pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. That's the fewest hits Mitzel has allowed since back in April of 2024. At the plate, Mitzel scored two runs and stole two bases while going 2-for-4, while Harnage scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in five of his six plate appearances. That's the most runs Mitzel has posted since back in April of 2024.
In other batting news, Andrew Wilson was excellent, scoring three runs and stealing a base while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances. He also put up a stolen base, which washis first of the season. Guage Barry was another key player, scoring a run while going 1-for-4.
Keystone Heights always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .565. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Interlachen only posted an OBP of .320.
Meanwhile, after only one run in their last contest, North Marion made sure to put some runs up on the board against Forest on Tuesday. North Marion blew past Forest 10-1. The Colts might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won three games by nine runs or more this season.
C.J. Sayler was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching four innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits. Sayler was also big at the plate, scoring two runs while going 1-for-5.
In other pitching news, Luke Tueton looked comfortable as he tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits.
Back at the plate, Ayden Gonzalez was a standout: he scored two runs while going 2-for-3. Another player making a difference was Trenton Ramsey, who scored two runs and stole three bases while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances.
The victory got Keystone Heights back to even at 2-2. As for North Marion, their win ended a three-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 3-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Keystone Heights has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like North Marion struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.2 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Keystone Heights was able to grind out a solid victory over North Marion when the teams last played back in April of 2024, winning 11-7. Will Keystone Heights repeat their success, or does North Marion have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
