The Hart Pirates will challenge the Grant Tigers at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Both come into the contest bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
On Tuesday, Hart beat Hesperia 8-5. The win continues a trend for the Pirates in their matchups with the Panthers: they've now won three in a row.
Caden VanGelderen
| 04/21/26 vs Hesperia | 3 |
| 04/14/26 vs Mason County Central | 2 |
| 04/08/26 vs Morley Stanwood | 2 |
| 04/17/26 vs Pine River Area | 1 |
| 04/11/26 vs Brethren | 1 |
Sawyer Boos and Caden VanGelderen did most of the damage at the plate: Boos went 3-for-5 with two runs, two doubles, and one RBI, while VanGelderen went 3-for-5 with three RBI, two doubles, and one run. Those three RBI gave VanGelderen a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Mason Guikema, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double.
They weren't the only ones making solid contact: Hart kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, Grant got themselves on the board against Kent City on Thursday, but Kent City never followed suit. They put the hurt on the Eagles with a sharp 10-0 victory. The Tigers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won five matchups by six runs or more this season.
Blake Rider made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only one hit over five innings pitched. Rider was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. He is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now snagged at least one in each of the last six games he's played.
Grant's win bumped their record up to 9-3. As for Hart, their victory bumped their record up to 6-8.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Friday as neither team is afraid to steal. Hart has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.5 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Grant struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 4.6 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Hart suffered a grim 10-0 defeat to Grant when the teams last played back in May of 2023. Will the Pirates have more luck at home instead of on the road? Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other baseball content.
