Middletown hasn't had much luck against St. Helena recently, but that could start to change on Tuesday. The Mustangs will challenge the Saints at 4:00 p.m. Middletown is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.7 runs per game this season.
Having struggled with four defeats in a row, Middletown turned things around against Cloverdale on Friday. They sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 7-5 win over the Eagles. The game was the first time the Mustangs have beaten the Eagles on their field since April 30, 2024.
Jon Hawkins
| 04/07/26 vs Fort Bragg | 6 |
| 03/27/26 @ Kelseyville | 3 |
| 04/24/26 @ Cloverdale | 1 |
Jon Hawkins was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out 11 batters over 5.2 innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits. He is becoming a predictor of Middletown's success: when he allows at most one earned run the team is 2-1 (and 6-7 when he doesn't). Hawkins was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one triple. That's the most stolen bases he has posted since back in March.
Hawkins wasn't the only one making solid contact as eight players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Cody Perez, who went 1-for-4 with two stolen bases and one RBI. That's the most stolen bases Perez has posted since back in March. Austin Davis was another, going 1-for-2 with two RBI and one run.
Middletown kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 15 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, St. Helena got the win against Lower Lake on Friday by a conclusive 11-2. The Saints might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won eight games by nine runs or more this season.
Like Middletown, St. Helena also got a great game from a two-way player: Kai Blasingame. On the mound, he struck out eight batters over seven innings while giving up just two earned runs off three hits. Blasingame was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with two stolen bases, one run, and one RBI.
In other batting news, Huck Anderson was incredible, going 2-for-3 with three runs, one stolen base, and one double. Another player making a difference was Henry Ray, who got on base in all four of his plate appearances with one run and one RBI.
St. Helena's record now sits at 14-6. As for Middletown, the victory got them back to even at 8-8.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Middletown has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like St. Helena struggles in that department as they've been averaging 6.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Middletown suffered a grim 11-3 defeat to St. Helena in their previous meeting back in May of 2025. Can the Mustangs avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
