The Center Grove Trojans will take on the Brownsburg Bulldogs at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. Center Grove is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7 runs per game this season.
Center Grove is probably headed into the contest with a chip on their shoulder considering Whiteland just ended the team's nine-game winning streak on Friday. They fell 11-7 to the Warriors. The pitching woes were uncharacteristic for the Trojans, who until this matchup were averaging 3.05 runs allowed.
Carson Bush was cooking despite his team's loss, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with one stolen base and one run. The team also got some help courtesy of Andrew Krupa, who went 1-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Brownsburg let Terre Haute North Vigo stack four runs on them in the sixth inning on Saturday but luckily Brownsburg prevailed anyway. The Bulldogs sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 6-5 win over the Patriots. The victory continues a trend for the Bulldogs in their matchups with the Patriots: they've now won six in a row.
Luke Albrecht looked comfortable as he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits over four innings pitched. What's more, he posted four strikeouts, the most he's had since back in April of 2024.
On the hitting side, Canyon Koonce was incredible, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with three runs, one triple, and one stolen base. He has been hot, having posted at least one stolen base the last eight times he's played. Another player making a difference was Jackson Wagner, who got on base in all four of his plate appearances with one stolen base and two RBI.
Brownsburg's win bumped their record up to 11-5. As for Center Grove, their loss dropped their record down to 17-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Center Grove has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Brownsburg struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 7.4 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Center Grove was able to grind out a solid victory over Brownsburg in their previous matchup back in May of 2024, winning 15-11. Do the Trojans have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Bulldogs turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
