The Leetonia Bears will take on the McDonald Blue Devils at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Leetonia has given up an average of 10.6 runs per game this season, but Wednesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
While Leetonia's win against Chalker wasn't quite the blowout it was the last time the pair played, they still came out on top. The Bears won by a run and slipped past the Wildcats 12-11. Considering the Bears' hitters had been struggling lately, the high-scoring outing was a much-needed turnaround.
Jason King
| 05/22/26 @ Chalker | 7 |
| 05/11/26 vs Wellsville | 6 |
| 05/04/26 @ David Anderson | 1 |
| 04/30/26 vs Heartland Christian | 3 |
| 04/21/26 @ Badger | 5 |
| 04/15/26 vs Chaney | 8 |
Jason King was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out seven batters over six innings while giving up three earned (and seven unearned) runs off ten hits. That's the most strikeouts he has posted since back in April. He was even better at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one double. Leetonia is 5-1 when King posts two or more runs, but 2-11 otherwise.
In other batting news, Jeremiah Falk and Chase Bondi did most of the damage at the plate: Falk went 1-for-3 with four stolen bases, four RBI, and two runs, while Bondi went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, three RBI, and two runs. Falk is becoming a predictor of Leetonia's success: when he posts at least two stolen bases the team is undefeated (and 4-12 when he doesn't). Another player making a difference was Gray Henderson, who went 1-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
McDonald came out on top against Springfield last Monday thanks in part to the team's impressive five-run seventh inning. The Blue Devils put the hurt on the Tigers with a sharp 8-2 victory. The result was nothing new for the Blue Devils, who have now won 13 games by six runs or more so far this season.
McDonald has been performing well recently as they've won eight of their last ten contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 16-5 record this season. As for Leetonia, their record is now 7-12.
Leetonia suffered a grim 25-4 defeat to McDonald when the teams last played back in May of 2022. Can the Bears avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
