The Valparaiso Vikings will challenge the Warsaw Tigers at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Valparaiso is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.2 runs per game this season.
Valparaiso's pitching crew heads into the contest hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Wednesday. They were the clear victors by a 19-0 margin over Merrillville. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Vikings.
Trevor Fenters
| 04/30/25 vs Merrillville | 10 |
| 04/23/25 vs Portage | 9 |
| 05/04/24 vs Lowell | 9 |
| 04/24/24 @ Portage | 8 |
| 04/16/24 @ Crown Point | 8 |
Trevor Fenters was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed 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, going 2-for-3 with three runs and two RBI.
In other batting news, Valparaiso got a massive performance out of DJ Malloy, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with five RBI, two doubles, and one run. Those two doubles gave Malloy a new career-high. Drayden Wilcox also deserves some recognition as he brought in his first RBI of the season.
Valparaiso always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .675. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Warsaw posted their closest victory since May 17, 2024 on Friday. They came out on top in a nail-biter against Concord, sneaking past 6-5. The Tigers haven't had any issues with the Minutemen recently, as the game was their sixth consecutive win against them.
Reed Nelson spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered only one earned (and four unearned) runs on one hit and racked up seven Ks. He is becoming a predictor of Warsaw's success: when he allows at most one hit the team is undefeated (and 4-5 when he doesn't).
At the plate, Grady Nelson was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with three stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. Quinton Brock was another key player, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with two stolen bases and two runs.
Valparaiso's record now sits at 8-5. As for Warsaw, their record is now an identical 8-5.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Saturday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Valparaiso has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Warsaw struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 7.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Valparaiso beat Warsaw 12-8 when the teams last played back in May of 2015. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Vikings since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
