The Lafayette Jefferson Bronchos will head out to face off against the Anderson Indians at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Lafayette Jefferson is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.1 runs per game this season.
Lafayette Jefferson came out on top against McCutcheon on Tuesday thanks in part to the team's impressive eight-run fourth inning. The Bronchos blew past the Mavericks 12-1. The win was a breath of fresh air for the Bronchos as it put an end to their four-game losing streak.
Nate Hilsabeck
| 04/30/25 @ Harrison | 3 |
| 05/06/25 @ McCutcheon | 1 |
| 04/25/25 @ Lafayette Central Catholic | 1 |
| 04/16/25 @ Kokomo | 1 |
| 04/05/25 vs Carroll | 1 |
Nate Hilsabeck tossed a big game, pitching five innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. Lafayette Jefferson is 5-1 when Hilsabeck allows three or fewer earned runs, but 7-8 otherwise.
On the hitting side, Ethan Lane and Erasmo Santiallana did most of the damage at the plate: Lane went 3-for-4 with four RBI, two doubles, and one run, while Santiallana went 2-for-3 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. That's the most doubles Lane has posted over his last 13 contests. Ben Pickering was another key player, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with one double and one RBI.
Lafayette Jefferson was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .448. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as McCutcheon only posted a batting average of .176.
Meanwhile, Anderson beat Muncie Central 8-4 on Wednesday. The victory continues a trend for the Indians in their matchups with the Bearcats: they've now won five in a row.
Hunter Anderson was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he pitched three innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off four hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in eight consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with two stolen bases, three runs, and one double.
Anderson wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Cole Roberts, who went 1-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one double. Another was Kaydin Hutchison, who went 1-for-2 with one stolen base and two RBI.
Lafayette Jefferson's record now sits at 12-9. As for Anderson, their record is now 10-7.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Saturday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Lafayette Jefferson has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Anderson struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 7.7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Everything went Lafayette Jefferson's way against Anderson when the teams last played back in May of 2024, as Lafayette Jefferson made off with an 11-4 win. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Bronchos since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
