The Rochester Zebras will venture away from home to challenge the Culver Academies Eagles at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Rochester is currently enjoying a perfect season and no doubt wants to keep things rolling.
Rochester had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the eight-run drubbing they dealt Pioneer on Thursday. The Zebras blew past the Panthers 10-2. The Zebras might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won three contests by eight runs or more this season.
Parker Casper made a big impact no matter where he played. He struck out six batters over five innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits. Those six strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also stellar in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with three stolen bases, two runs, and one double. That double marked the first that he has hit this season.
Brant Beck
| 04/17/25 @ Pioneer | 3 |
| 04/08/25 vs Glenn | 1 |
| 04/03/25 @ Lafayette Jefferson | 1 |
| 05/08/24 @ North Miami | 1 |
| 05/03/24 @ Tippecanoe Valley | 1 |
In other batting news, Drew Bowers and Brant Beck did most of the damage at the plate: Bowers went a perfect 2-for-2 with four stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI, while Beck went 2-for-3 with three stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. Those three stolen bases gave Beck a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Tanner Reinartz, who went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases and one RBI.
Culver Academies came out on top against Westville on Wednesday thanks in part to the team's impressive eight-run third inning. The Eagles were the clear victors by a 13-3 margin over the Blackhawks. 13 seems to be a good number for the Eagles as the squad scooped up a victory with the same number of runs in their previous game.
Like Rochester, Culver Academies also got a great game from a two-way player: Max Grube. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Grube was also big at the plate, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one run and one RBI.
In other batting news, Culver Academies let Ty Rakan and Trey Schumacher run wild. Rakan went 3-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and one stolen base, while Schumacher went a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases, three runs, and two RBI. Schumacher is crushing it when it comes to stolen bases: he's snagged at least one every time he's taken the field this season. Another player making a difference was Preston Jessen, who went 1-for-2 with two stolen bases, one run, and one RBI.
Culver Academies always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .548. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Westville only posted an OBP of .320.
Rochester pushed their record up to 8-0 with the win, which was their third straight on the road. The road victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.3 runs over those games. As for Culver Academies, they now have a winning record of 2-1.
Friday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Rochester hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .314. However, it's not like Culver Academies struggles in that department as they've averaged .364. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Rochester came out on top in a nail-biter against Culver Academies in their previous matchup back in April of 2024, sneaking past 8-6. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Zebras since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
