Valparaiso is 9-1 against Portage since May of 2021 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Monday. The Vikings will take on the Indians at 4:30 p.m. Valparaiso is coming into the game hot, having won their last 15 games.
Valparaiso is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They were the clear victors by a 14-4 margin over Hobart. Considering the Vikings have won 15 contests by more than six runs this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Trevor Fenters
| 05/30/25 vs Hobart | 1 |
| 05/14/25 @ La Porte | 2 |
| 05/07/25 vs Michigan City | 1 |
| 04/30/25 vs Merrillville | 1 |
| 04/23/25 vs Portage | 2 |
| + 2 more games |
Trevor Fenters made a splash no matter where he played. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run over five innings pitched. He has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI and one double.
In other batting news, Valparaiso let Maximus Reaume and Gabe Bush run wild. Reaume went 3-for-4 with one home run, three RBI, and one triple, while Bush got on base in four of his five plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and one double. That's the most RBI Reaume has posted since May 3rd. Another player making a difference was Matthew Civanich, who went 1-for-4 with one home run.
Valparaiso always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .595. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Hobart only posted an OBP of .348.
Meanwhile, Portage hadn't done well against Chesterton recently (they were 0-9 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Friday. The Indians walked away with an 8-3 victory over the Trojans. That's two games straight that the Indians have won by exactly five runs.
Hunter Cole made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He struck out nine batters over seven innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off eight hits. Portage is undefeated when Cole posts eight or more strikeouts, but 10-12-2 otherwise. Cole was also solid in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with two RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Williams De Gracia, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two RBI and one run.
Portage has been performing well recently as they've won four of their last five matches. That's provided a massive bump to their 13-12-2 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.2 runs on average over those games. As for Valparaiso, their victory bumped their record up to 21-5.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Valparaiso has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.1 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Portage struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.2 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Valparaiso came out on top in a nail-biter against Portage when the teams last played back in April, sneaking past 3-1. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Vikings since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
