Baseball Game Preview: Independence Patriots vs. Midland Trail Patriots

Independence will challenge Midland Trail at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Independence is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.4 runs per game this season.

Greenbrier East hit Independence with a five-run third inning on Tuesday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Patriots took a 10-6 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Spartans. The Patriots haven't had much luck with the Spartans recently, as the team has come up short the last three times they've met.

Andrew Coalson put in work no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing three innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off four hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up a single walk in three consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one run and one RBI.

Levi Barnett

Runs

04/29/25 vs Greenbrier East	2
04/28/25 @ PikeView	2
04/23/25 @ James Monroe	2
04/23/25 vs James Monroe	2
04/14/25 vs PikeView	2
+ 8 more games

In other batting news, Levi Barnett was cooking despite his team's loss, going 1-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and two RBI. He is becoming a predictor of Independence's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 6-2-1 (and 1-8 when he doesn't).

The home team had come away the winner the last six times Midland Trail and Nicholas County had met, but sadly for the fans who attended this one that wasn't the case. The Patriots lost 25-4 to the Grizzlies on Wednesday.

Independence's loss dropped their record down to 7-10-1. As for Midland Trail, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-12.

Everything went Independence's way against Midland Trail in their previous meeting back in April of 2024, as Independence made off with a 28-9 win. Does Independence have another victory up their sleeve, or will Midland Trail turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.