Baseball Game Preview: Cuba Wildcats vs. Hermann Bearcats

Cuba hasn't had much luck against Hermann recently, but that could start to change on Friday. The Wildcats will square off against the Bearcats at 12:30 p.m. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.

It was a proper cat-fight when Cuba faced off against Steelville on Thursday. The Wildcats blew past the Cardinals 14-4. The Wildcats' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.

Braden Gipson made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over four innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off two hits. Gipson was also solid in the batter's box, scoring three runs and stealing a base while getting on base in four of his five plate appearances.

In other batting news, Luke Whittaker was incredible, scoring a run while going 3-for-4. Nick Smith was another key player, scoring three runs while going 2-for-4.

Cuba always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .600. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Meanwhile, Hermann was not able to break out of their rough patch on Thursday as the team picked up their sixth straight defeat. They were a single run away from ending the streak, but they lost a 17-16 heartbreaker at the hands of Owensville. Even if the Bearcats couldn't come away with the win, the high-scoring effort was a great turnaround for their hitters, which had struggled int the games prior.

Hermann's loss dropped their record down to 1-8. As for Cuba, they picked up their first home victory, bumping their record up to 2-3.

Cuba might still be hurting after the 17-7 defeat they got from Hermann in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Can the Wildcats avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.