The Mineral Ridge Rams will be taking part in a tournament against the Columbiana Clippers at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Mineral Ridge is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7 runs per game this season.
Mineral Ridge's pitching crew heads into the game hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Monday. They were the clear victors by a 14-0 margin over Memorial. The Rams might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won seven matchups by six runs or more this season.
Xavier Klamer made a splash while hitting and pitching. He tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Klamer was also solid in the batter's box, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one stolen base and one run.
In other pitching news, Christian Dunlap looked comfortable as he tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits.
Back at the plate, Dom Balestrino was incredible, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with three runs, three RBI, and one stolen base. Those three RBI gave him a new career-high. AJ Sandy was another key player, going 2-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and one stolen base.
Mineral Ridge was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .419. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Memorial only posted a batting average of .000.
Meanwhile, Columbiana fell victim to Howland and their airtight pitching crew on Saturday. They came up short against the Tigers, falling 13-0. The Clippers haven't had much luck with the Tigers recently, as the team has come up short the last three times they've met.
Mineral Ridge has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won 13 of their last 15 contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 17-4 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.6 runs on average over those games. As for Columbiana, their defeat dropped their record down to 11-14.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Mineral Ridge has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Columbiana struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 6.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Mineral Ridge might still be hurting after the 14-4 loss they got from Columbiana in their previous meeting back in April of 2023. Will the Rams have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
