The New Buffalo Bison are taking a road trip to challenge the Michigan Lutheran Titans at 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday. New Buffalo is currently enjoying a perfect season and no doubt wants to keep things rolling.
New Buffalo's pitching crew heads into the game hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Friday. They put the hurt on River Valley with a sharp 12-0 win. Fans of the Bison have seen this all before: every one of the games they've played this season has ended in a blowout of 6+ runs.
Vaughn Nikkel
| 04/18/25 @ River Valley | 10 |
| 04/12/24 vs Eau Claire | 7 |
| 04/11/25 @ Eau Claire | 5 |
| 05/21/24 vs Our Lady of the Lake Catholic | 4 |
| 05/10/24 vs Brandywine | 4 |
Vaughn Nikkel made a big impact no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only one hit while striking out ten over five innings pitched. Those ten strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with three stolen bases, three runs, and one double. He has been hot, having posted at least one stolen base the last six times he's played.
In other batting news, Drew Bowen was incredible, going 1-for-3 with two stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in April of 2024. Colten Lijewski also deserves some recognition as he hit his first double of the season.
New Buffalo was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .500. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .333 or higher in seven consecutive matchups dating back to last season.
Michigan Lutheran came out on top against Saugatuck on Wednesday thanks in part to the team's impressive four-run fourth inning. The Titans had just enough and edged out the Trailblazers 8-6. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Titans have posted since May 10, 2024.
The team relied heavily on Ty Johnson, who went 2-for-4 with one home run, two stolen bases, and two runs. Another player making a difference was Anthony Ealey, who went 1-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
The win got Michigan Lutheran back to even at 3-3. As for New Buffalo, their record now sits at 6-0.
Michigan Lutheran's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: New Buffalo has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .638. It's a different story for Michigan Lutheran, though, as they've only averaged .361. Will they be able to contain New Buffalo's hitters?
New Buffalo skirted past Michigan Lutheran 5-4 when the teams last played back in June of 2024. Do the Bison have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Titans turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
