The Hinckley-Big Rock Royals will take on the Hiawatha Hawks at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Hinckley-Big Rock has given up an average of 7.9 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Hinckley-Big Rock lost 12-6 to North Boone on Saturday. The Royals haven't had much luck with the Vikings recently, as the team has come up short the last three times they've met.
Meanwhile, Hiawatha made easy work of Christian Liberty on Friday and carried off a 14-2 win. Considering the Hawks have won four contests by more than nine runs this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Colby Wylde and Thomas Giebel made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, Wylde pitched 2.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off three hits. Meanwhile, Giebel struck out six batters over 2.2 innings while giving up just two earned runs off two hits (and only one walk). Wylde also tossed a walk, which is notable because Hiawatha is 2-1 when he allows at most one walk, but 4-6 otherwise. At bat, Wylde went a perfect 2-for-2 with three RBI, two runs, and one triple, while Giebel got on base in all four of his plate appearances with three stolen bases, three runs, and two RBI. Those three stolen bases gave Giebel a new career-high.
In other batting news, Bentley Payne was incredible, going 3-for-4 with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. Those three runs gave him a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Tommy Butler, who went 2-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.
Hiawatha kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post 11 or more hits.
The victory made it two in a row for Hiawatha and bumps their season record up to 6-7. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 14.5 runs over those games. As for Hinckley-Big Rock, their defeat dropped their record down to 7-9-1.
Hinckley-Big Rock took their victory against Hiawatha when the teams last played back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 11-1 score. Will the Royals repeat their success, or do the Hawks have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
