Baseball Game Preview: Ambridge Bridgers vs. Blackhawk Cougars

For the second straight game, Ambridge will face off against Blackhawk. The Bridgers will face off against the Cougars at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Ambridge will be looking to extend their current three-game winning streak.

Ambridge will bounce into Thursday's game after beating Blackhawk, who they had gone 1-8 against in their nine prior meetings. The Bridgers won by a run and slipped past the Cougars 4-3. That's two games straight that the Bridgers have won by just one run.

For Blackhawk's part, they got a good showing from Elijah White, who struck out six batters over four innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off three hits (and only one walk). White has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, Carter Davis made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and went 1-for-3 with one home run. Connor Welsh also deserves some recognition as he hit his first double of the season.

Ambridge pushed their record up to 8-5-1 with the win, which was their third straight at home. Those home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.7 runs on average over those games. As for Blackhawk, their defeat ended a three-game streak of away wins and brought them to 6-4.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Ambridge has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.4 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Blackhawk struggles in that department as they've been averaging 6.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.