Baseball Game Preview: Homer-Center Wildcats vs. Summit Academy Knights

The Homer-Center Wildcats will take on the Summit Academy Knights at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday. The timing is sure in Homer-Center's favor as the squad sits on five straight wins at home while Summit Academy has been banged up by 13 consecutive losses on the road dating back to last season.

Homer-Center came out on top against Penns Manor on Friday thanks in part to the team's impressive seven-run second inning. The Wildcats were the clear victors by a 12-2 margin over the Comets. The Wildcats might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won seven contests by six runs or more this season.

Nash Budner

Stolen Base

04/25/25 vs Penns Manor	1
04/23/25 @ Penns Manor	1
04/22/25 vs Purchase Line	1
04/17/25 @ Portage	1

Nash Budner made a splash while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out seven batters over four innings while giving up just two earned runs off one hit. Budner was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with one stolen base and two 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 four games he's played.

In other batting news, Homer-Center got a massive performance out of Dom Shimko, who got on base in three of his five plate appearances with two runs, two RBI, and one double. That double was Shimko's first of the season. Nathan Birchall was another key player, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with two RBI and one run.

Homer-Center always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .658. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Penns Manor only posted an OBP of .346.

Meanwhile, Friday just wasn't the day for Summit Academy's offense. They came up short against Blacklick Valley on Friday, falling 20-0.

Summit Academy's defeat dropped their record down to 1-11. As for Homer-Center, their win bumped their record up to 11-3.