Plainfield is 2-8 against Avon since April of 2016 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Saturday. The Quakers will face off against the Orioles at 11:00 a.m. The last three games Plainfield has played have been within two runs, so don't be surprised if it's a close one.
On Friday, Plainfield didn't have quite enough to beat Terre Haute North Vigo and fell 5-4.
Plainfield saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Clark Laker, who went 1-for-2 with one run and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Avon came tearing into Thursday's contest with four straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 5.3 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They never let the Flashes get on the board and left with a 13-0 win. That 13 run margin sets a new team best for the Orioles this season.
Wyatt Pennington made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one hit in four consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with one triple, one run, and one RBI. That triple marked the first that he has hit this season.
In other pitching news, Braden Lockridge looked comfortable as he tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two hits any time he's pitched this season.
Back at the plate, the team relied heavily on Clayton Lenz, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and two RBI. Those three runs gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Keegan Grubbs, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, one double, and one RBI.
Avon kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least nine hits in four consecutive matchups.
Avon pushed their record up to 8-2 with the victory, which was their fifth straight at home. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.0 runs on average over those games. As for Plainfield, their loss dropped their record down to 5-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Saturday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Plainfield has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Avon struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 9.4 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Plainfield might still be hurting after the 8-0 defeat they got from Avon in their previous meeting back in May of 2024. Can the Quakers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
