The Oakwood Comets will square off against the Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin Blue Devils at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Oakwood is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.7 runs per game this season.
Oakwood is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Monday. They blew past Georgetown-Ridge Farm/Chrisman 8-1. The Comets haven't had any issues with the Buffaloes recently, as the game was their fourth consecutive victory against them.
Xander Wilson was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run while striking out nine over seven innings pitched. He also tossed a walk, which is notable because Oakwood is 8-3 when he allows at most two walks, but 9-11 otherwise. Wilson was also stellar in the batter's box, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double. Those three hits gave him a new career-high.
| 05/19/25 vs Georgetown-Ridge Farm/Chrisman | 3 |
| 04/30/25 @ Paris | 2 |
| 03/25/25 vs Danville | 2 |
| 05/15/25 @ Milford | 1 |
| 05/12/25 vs Georgetown-Ridge Farm/Chrisman | 1 |
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Weston Frazier, who went 3-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. Those three hits gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Bryson Marcinko, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with one stolen base and one run.
Oakwood kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. They are a perfect 4-0 when they post 11 or more hits.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin, who bounced back after a loss on the road last Friday. They came out on top against Schlarman by a score of 9-4 last Monday.
Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin also got a great performance from LIAM PARISH as he pitched six innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off one hit.
On the hitting side, CHAZ DUBOIS was excellent, going 3-for-4 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run.
Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won 11 of their last 12 matches. That's provided a massive bump to their 17-9 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.8 runs on average over those games. As for Oakwood, they pushed their record up to 17-14 with the victory, which was their tenth straight at home.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Oakwood has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.1 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Oakwood suffered a grim 14-1 defeat to Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin in their previous meeting back in April. Can the Comets avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
