Baseball Game Preview: Valmeyer Pirates vs. Trico Pioneers

The Valmeyer Pirates will head out to take on the Trico Pioneers at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. One thing working in Valmeyer's favor is that they have posted at least ten runs in their last four contests.

On Wednesday, Valmeyer made easy work of Okawville and carried off a 12-2 victory. The win continues a trend for the Pirates in their matchups with the Rockets: they've now won six in a row.

Gavin Rau made a splash no matter where he played. He struck out six batters over four innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off four hits. What's more, he gave up only two walks, the fewest he's had since back in April of 2024. He was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 2-for-3. Those two hits gave him a new career-high.

Luke Blackwell

Runs

03/26/25 vs Okawville	4
03/25/25 @ Cahokia	3
03/24/25 @ East Alton-Wood River	2
03/22/25 vs Princeville	1
03/18/25 @ Red Bud	1

In other batting news, Luke Blackwell was incredible, scoring four runs and stealing two bases while going 4-for-4. Valmeyer is undefeated when Blackwell posts two or more runs, but 1-3 otherwise. Chase Snyder was another key player, scoring a run while going 2-for-3.

Valmeyer was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .385. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .300 or higher in four consecutive matchups.

Meanwhile, Trico fell victim to Nashville and their airtight pitching crew on Wednesday. They came up short against the Hornets, falling 11-0. The game marked the first time this year in which the Pioneers were not able to get on the board.

Valmeyer now has a winning record of 4-3. As for Trico, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-4.

Valmeyer beat Trico 8-3 when the teams last played back in March of 2024. The rematch might be a little tougher for Valmeyer since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.