West Middlesex and Mercer are an even 5-5 against one another since April of 2021, but likely not for long. The Big Reds will square off against the Mustangs at 4:00 p.m. on Monday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
West Middlesex had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the seven-run drubbing they dealt Sharpsville on Wednesday. The Big Reds never let the Blue Devils get on the board and left with a 7-0 win.
Kyle Gilson
| 04/17/25 vs Mercer | 7 |
| 04/23/25 vs Greenville | 3 |
| 03/24/25 vs Lakeview | 2 |
| 04/30/25 @ Reynolds | 1 |
Kyle Gilson made a splash no matter where he played. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit while striking out eight over 6.1 innings pitched. He also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because West Middlesex is 6-1 when he allows at most two earned runs, but 4-5 otherwise. Gilson was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with two runs. That's the most runs he has posted since back in April.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Landon Zec, who went 1-for-2 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one double. That stolen base marked the first that he has snagged this season.
Mercer never got on the board in their matchup on Friday, but that sure wasn't the case in their game against Reynolds on Wednesday. They blew past the Raiders 11-2. The victory continues a trend for the Mustangs in their matchups with the Raiders: they've now won nine in a row.
Like West Middlesex, Mercer also got a great game from a two-way player: Jayden Amos. He tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Amos has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in seven consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, getting on base in two of his five plate appearances with three stolen bases and one run.
In other batting news, Kameron Woods was excellent, going 1-for-2 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double. Another player making a difference was Adam Dupuis, who went 1-for-2 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
West Middlesex has been performing well recently as they've won three of their last four matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 10-6 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.5 runs on average over those games. As for Mercer, their record now sits at 10-4.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. West Middlesex has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Mercer struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
West Middlesex might still be hurting after the 9-3 defeat they got from Mercer in their previous matchup back in April. Can the Big Reds avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
