Manitowoc Lincoln hasn't had much luck against Bay Port recently, but that could start to change on Saturday. The Ships will challenge the Pirates at 11:00 a.m. Manitowoc Lincoln is coming into the game hot, having won their last five games.
Manitowoc Lincoln had to skate by with only a two-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the ten-run drubbing they dealt Plymouth on Friday. The Ships were the clear victors by a 14-4 margin over the Panthers. Considering the Ships have won seven contests by more than eight runs this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Manitowoc Lincoln let Cade Grapentine and Nick Braun run wild. Grapentine went 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBI, and one double, while Braun got on base in all three of his plate appearances with two runs and two RBI. Those two runs gave Braun a new career-high. Kameron Braun was another key player, going 1-for-2 with two runs and one double.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Bay Port, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Monday. They walked away with a 7-4 win over Green Bay Preble on Thursday. The victory was some much needed relief for the Pirates as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.
Quinn Boeckman looked comfortable as he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits over four innings pitched. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two hits any time he's pitched this season.
On the hitting side, Gavin Brady and Tommy Berg did most of the damage at the plate: Brady went 2-for-4 with two runs and one RBI, while Berg went 1-for-2 with one triple, one run, and one RBI. Beau Jensen also deserves some recognition as he scored his first run of the season.
Manitowoc Lincoln pushed their record up to 15-1 with the win, which was their ninth straight at home. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 8.9 runs over those games. As for Bay Port, the win got them back to even at 7-7.
Bay Port's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Manitowoc Lincoln has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .442. It's a different story for Bay Port, though, as they've only averaged .320. Will they be able to contain Manitowoc Lincoln's hitters?
Manitowoc Lincoln couldn't quite finish off Bay Port in their previous meeting back in May of 2024 and fell 2-0. Can the Ships avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
