Baseball Game Preview: Rio Vista Eagles vs. Hico Tigers

The Rio Vista Eagles will challenge the Hico Tigers at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Rio Vista has given up an average of 9.4 runs per game this season, so hopefully the team got some pitching drills in this week.

It was a Battle of the Birds when Rio Vista faced off against Fort Worth Country Day on Saturday. Rio Vista lost 17-1 to Fort Worth Country Day. The contest marked the Eagles' lowest-scoring game so far this season.

Meanwhile, everything went Hico's way against Avalon on Friday as Hico made off with a 13-3 win. The Tigers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won five matchups by eight runs or more this season.

Wyatt Honea made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He struck out seven batters over five innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off seven hits. He has become a key player for Hico: the team is undefeated when he allows at most two earned runs, but 2-4-1 otherwise. Honea was also big at the plate, scoring two runs while going 2-for-3.

In other batting news, Hico let Tyler Jackson and Michael Scheufele run wild. Jackson scored three runs and stole Two bases. while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances, while Scheufele scored two runs and stole Three bases. while going 2-for-2. Scheufele is becoming a predictor of Hico's success: when he posts at least two stolen bases the team is undefeated (and 2-4-1 when he doesn't). Cade Wilson was another key player, scoring a run while going 1-for-2.

Hico always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .667. They are 4-1 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.

Hico now has a winning record of 5-4-1. As for Rio Vista, they have been struggling recently as they've lost six of their last seven games. That's put a noticeable dent in their 7-8 record this season.

Rio Vista was able to grind out a solid victory over Hico in their previous matchup back in March of 2021, winning 8-4. Will Rio Vista repeat their success, or does Hico have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.