Baseball Game Preview: Ozark Tigers vs. Neosho Wildcats

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Previous Games

04/11/24 - Home	3-5 L
04/13/23 - Away	8-1 W
04/21/22 - Away	12-0 W
04/22/21 - Away	15-3 W
05/01/18 - Home	4-3 W
+ 3 more games

Ozark is 7-1 against Neosho since April of 2015 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Thursday. The Tigers will host the Wildcats at 4:30 p.m. Ozark is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.5 runs per game this season.

On Wednesday, Ozark came up short against Springfield Catholic and fell 6-2.

Brock Benson was a force to be reckoned with on the mound despite the final result: he struck out six batters over 4.2 innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off seven hits (and only one walk). What's more, he gave up only one walk, the fewest he's had since back in March.

Meanwhile, Neosho unfortunately witnessed the end of their ten-game winning streak on Tuesday. They came up short against Kickapoo, falling 14-5. The pitching woes were uncharacteristic for the Wildcats, who until this contest were averaging four runs allowed.

Neosho also got a good showing from Cooper Charlton, who tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs off one hit.

On the hitting side, Neosho saw seven different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Drake Jennings, who scored two runs while going 2-for-3. Brody Crane was another, scoring two runs while going 1-for-3.

Neosho's loss dropped their record down to 13-2. As for Ozark, their defeat ended a five-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 13-4.

Thursday's matchup might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Ozark has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .432. However, it's not like Neosho struggles in that department as they've averaged .528. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.

Ozark couldn't quite finish off Neosho in their previous meeting back in April of 2024 and fell 5-3. Can the Tigers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.