South Vermillion has gone a perfect 8-0 against Cloverdale recently and they'll look to pad the win column further on Monday. The Wildcats will head out on the road to challenge the Clovers at 5:30 p.m. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.
While South Vermillion didn't have the best season last year (they finished 10-17), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They blew past Seeger 10-1 on Thursday. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Wildcats.
Mason Winters
| 05/01/25 vs Seeger | 13 |
| 04/08/25 @ South Putnam | 7 |
| 04/18/25 vs Marshall | 4 |
| 04/12/25 @ North Vermillion | 4 |
| 04/18/24 @ Westville | 3 |
Mason Winters was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run while striking out 13 over seven innings pitched. Those 13 strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with one triple and two RBI.
In other batting news, Parker Weir was incredible, going 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. Another player making a difference was Dallas Coleman, who went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, one run, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Cloverdale had to endure a nine-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. They were the clear victors by a 24-1 margin over Eminence on Saturday. The Clovers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won four matchups by six runs or more this season.
Like South Vermillion, Cloverdale also got a great game from a two-way player: Ben Campbell. On the mound, he struck out eight batters over four innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits (and not a single walk). Campbell has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than two hits in four consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, getting on base in all five of his plate appearances with four runs, four RBI, and one stolen base. Cloverdale is undefeated when Campbell posts two or more runs, but 0-9 otherwise.
In other batting news, Drake Hoffa was a standout: he got on base in all five of his plate appearances with three runs and three RBI. He has become a key player for Cloverdale: the team is undefeated when he posts at least two runs, but 0-9 otherwise. Zander Ingalls also deserves some recognition as he scored his first run of the season.
Cloverdale kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Eminence only managed three hits.
South Vermillion's record now sits at 7-5. As for Cloverdale, their record is now 4-9.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. South Vermillion has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Cloverdale struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.3 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
South Vermillion beat Cloverdale 6-1 in their previous matchup back in May of 2024. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Wildcats since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
