Baseball Game Preview: Safford Bulldogs vs. Empire Ravens

The Safford Bulldogs will challenge the Empire Ravens at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Safford is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.8 runs per game this season.

Safford made up a huge gap compared to their last game against Walden Grove, but they still couldn't quite topple them. The Bulldogs blew past the Red Wolves 12-2 on Thursday. The high-scoring effort was just what the Bulldogs needed considering they were shut out in their previous match.

Dylan Broderick

Batters Struck Out

04/03/25 vs Walden Grove	5
03/24/25 @ Douglas	2
03/06/25 vs Gilbert Christian	2
03/01/25 vs Show Low	1
02/27/25 vs Superior	2
+ 2 more games

Dylan Broderick was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching five innings while giving up just two earned runs off six hits. What's more, he posted five strikeouts, the most he's had since back in April of 2024. He was also big at the plate, scoring two runs while going 2-for-2.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Cole Goodman, who went 3-for-4 with four RBI, one stolen base, and one run. Safford is undefeated when Goodman posts three or more RBI, but 3-5 otherwise. Carlos Arbizo was another key player, scoring two runs while going 2-for-3.

Safford always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .613. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.

Meanwhile, after soaring to ten runs the game before, Empire was a bit more limited in their game on Wednesday. They came up short against Desert View, falling 17-2.

Empire saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Brady Carey, who scored a run while going 1-for-2.

Safford now has a winning record of 6-5. As for Empire, they dropped their record down to 7-10 with the loss, which was their sixth straight on the road dating back to last season.