Baseball Game Preview: Mendon Hornets vs. Athens Indians

The Mendon Hornets will head out on the road to face off against the Athens Indians at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Mendon is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.3 runs per game this season.

Mendon is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They were the clear victors by a 13-2 margin over Bellevue on Tuesday. The win continues a trend for the Hornets in their matchups with the Broncos: they've now won three in a row.

Brayden Crites

Hits Against

04/22/25 @ Climax-Scotts	3
04/26/25 vs White Pigeon	2
04/12/25 @ Lawrence	1

Brayden Crites was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has become a key player for Mendon: the team is undefeated when he allows at most one hit, but 1-2 otherwise. Crites was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in two of his three plate appearances with two runs and one stolen base.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Xavior Zinsmaster, who got on base in all three of his plate appearances with three stolen bases and three runs. Another player making a difference was Jerry Batten, who went 1-for-2 with two runs and one stolen base.

Mendon always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .536. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.

Athens couldn't beat Climax-Scotts on Tuesday even though they stacked four runs on them in the fourth inning. The Indians lost 14-4 to the Panthers. The loss continues a trend for the Indians in their meetings with the Panthers: they've now lost seven in a row.

Athens' defeat dropped their record down to 2-8. As for Mendon, their record now sits at 4-2.

Mendon took their victory against Athens in their previous meeting back in May of 2024 by a conclusive 10-0 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Hornets since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.