The University Trailblazers will face off against the Blackford Bruins at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. University is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.2 runs per game this season.
University will roll into the contest after a wild two-game stretch: they didn't score any runs on Wednesday, then bounced right back against Liberty Christian on Thursday. The Trailblazers blew past the Lions 24-1. The Trailblazers haven't had any issues with the Lions recently, as the game was their seventh consecutive win against them.
Chase Fankhauser
| 04/09/25 @ Cascade | 2 |
| 04/24/25 @ Liberty Christian | 1 |
| 04/03/25 vs Christian Educational Consortium | 1 |
Chase Fankhauser looked comfortable as he pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He also tossed a walk, which is notable because University is 2-1 when he allows at most two walks, but 4-5 otherwise.
On the hitting side, Beckett Suh was incredible, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with one home run, three runs, and two RBI. That's the most RBI he has posted since April 1st. Another player making a difference was Ryan Castetter, who got on base in four of his five plate appearances with three runs and one RBI.
University always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .574. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Meanwhile, Blackford sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with an 8-7 victory over Elwood on Thursday. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Bruins.
Trey McIntire and Trenton Norton made a splash no matter where they played. Throwing, McIntire tossed four innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off two hits. Meanwhile, Norton pitched three innings while giving up just two earned (and three unearned) runs off four hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. At bat, McIntire went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI, while Norton went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases, one run, and one RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Max Bonewit, who went 1-for-2 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
The win got University back to even at 6-6. As for Blackford, they now have a winning record of 6-5.
University couldn't quite get it done against Blackford in their previous meeting back in March of 2019 as they fell 6-3. Will the Trailblazers have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
