The Lapel Bulldogs will challenge the Tipton Blue Devils at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. The teams are on pretty different trajectories at the moment (Lapel has three straight victories, Tipton has three straight defeats), but none of that matters once you're on the field.
On Wednesday, Lapel got the win against Elwood by a conclusive 14-2. The Bulldogs might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won nine games by seven runs or more this season.
Darl Gustin
| 04/30/25 @ Elwood | 2 |
| 04/23/25 @ Eastern Hancock | 1 |
| 04/22/25 vs Frankton | 1 |
| 04/16/25 vs Anderson Prep Academy | 1 |
| 04/15/25 vs Madison-Grant | 1 |
Lapel got a massive performance out of Darl Gustin, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two stolen bases, two runs, and one triple. Those two stolen bases gave Gustin a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Kai Newman, who went 2-for-3 with three stolen bases, two runs, and two doubles.
Lapel always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .514. That was just more of the same: they've now posted an OBP of .513 or higher in three consecutive matches.
Meanwhile, Tipton might've scored the first runs on Wednesday, but it was Madison-Grant who claimed the real prize. The Blue Devils lost 11-5 to the Argylls.
Tipton also got a good showing from Gabe Wiggington, who tossed four innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off three hits. The dominant performance also gave Wiggington a new career-low in walks (zero).
At the plate, Piercen Nasser was cooking despite his team's loss, going 2-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.
Tipton's loss dropped their record down to 3-10. As for Lapel, their win was their seventh straight on the road dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 13-1.
Lapel's speedy runners might be the difference in Thursday's contest. The Bulldogs have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 5.8 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Tipton, though, as they've been averaging only 1 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Lapel continue to outrun the ball?
Lapel took their victory against Tipton in their previous meeting back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 20-0 score. Will the Bulldogs repeat their success, or do the Blue Devils have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
