The Middletown Blue Raiders will head out to take on the Kennard-Dale Rams at 4:00 p.m. on Monday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Middletown 3.6, Kennard-Dale 3.2) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Middletown fell victim to Northern Lebanon and their airtight pitching crew on Saturday. They took a 5-0 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Vikings. The Blue Raiders' loss signaled the end of their three-game winning streak.
Meanwhile, Kennard-Dale had already won six in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 8.2 runs) and they went ahead and made it seven on Thursday. They blew past the Braves 15-2. The Rams might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won six contests by eight runs or more this season.
Gavin Holmes made a splash no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over four innings while giving up just two earned runs off three hits (and only one walk). That's the most strikeouts he has posted since back in April of 2025. He was also big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBI.
In other pitching news, Max McLeod looked comfortable as he tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in five consecutive appearances.
Back at the plate, Avery Chenoweth was incredible, going a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run, five RBI, and three runs. Those five RBI gave him a new career-high. Giovanni Sisti was another key player, going a perfect 4-for-4 with four runs and two RBI.
Kennard-Dale kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 17 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least 11 hits in three consecutive matchups.
Kennard-Dale's record now sits at 10-2. As for Middletown, their defeat dropped their record down to 7-4-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Middletown has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Kennard-Dale struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 7.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Middletown came up short against Kennard-Dale in their previous matchup back in April of 2025, falling 4-0. Can the Blue Raiders avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
