Melba and Marsing are an even 5-5 against one another since April of 2021, but likely not for long. The Mustangs will take on the Huskies at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty run totals in their previous games.
Melba lost a heartbreaker the last time they played Parma, but it's fair to say they got their revenge given the result of Wednesday's game. The Mustangs never let the Panthers get on the board and left with a 10-0 victory on Wednesday. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Mustangs.
Mike Lester made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out seven over six innings pitched. He also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Melba is 2-1 when he allows at most one earned run, but 8-10 otherwise. Lester was also big at the plate, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with one home run, three RBI, and one stolen base.
Cooper Brooks
| 04/07/25 @ Vision | 6 |
| 04/23/25 vs Parma | 4 |
| 04/16/25 @ New Plymouth | 4 |
| 03/20/25 vs Firth | 3 |
| 03/14/25 vs Wendell | 2 |
| + 7 more games |
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Cooper Brooks, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBI, two runs, and two doubles. He has become a key player for Melba: the team is 3-1 when he posts at least three RBI, but 7-10 otherwise. Another player making a difference was Kelton Bodily, who went 2-for-3 with four runs and two stolen bases.
Meanwhile, Marsing got the win against New Plymouth on Wednesday by a conclusive 18-11. Considering the Huskies have won ten matchups by more than five runs this season, Wednesday's blowout was nothing new.
Like Melba, Marsing also got a great game from a two-way player: Teagan Kinney. On the mound, Kinney didn't allow a single earned run over four innings pitched. Meanwhile, Luke Steinmeyer struck out seven batters over three innings while giving up just two earned (and four unearned) runs off two hits (and only one walk). What's more, Kinney posted five strikeouts, the most he's had since back in May of 2024. At the plate, Kinney went 3-for-5 with two runs, two doubles, and one stolen base, while Steinmeyer went 4-for-5 with one home run, two stolen bases, and three runs.
In other batting news, Dresden Wood was a standout: he went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, three runs, and three RBI. That's the most hits he has posted since April 1st. Jace Chadez was another key player, getting on base in four of his six plate appearances with three RBI, two runs, and one stolen base.
Marsing was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .462. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as New Plymouth only posted a batting average of .129.
Marsing has been performing well recently as they've won nine of their last 12 contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 13-6 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.3 runs over those games. As for Melba, their record is now 10-11.
Melba might still be hurting after the 8-0 defeat they got from Marsing in their previous meeting two weeks ago. Can the Mustangs avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
