Wendell and Malad are an even 4-4 against one another since May of 2015, but likely not for long. The Trojans will face off against the Dragons at 1:00 p.m. on Friday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty run totals in their previous games.
As a matter of fact, Wendell put up the most runs they have all season on Thursday. Everything went their way against Soda Springs as they made off with a 23-2 win. The team's explosion at the plate also rewarded the Trojans with their most commanding win of the season.
Gunner Jones
| 05/01/25 vs Soda Springs | 3 |
| 04/04/25 vs Marsing | 2 |
| 04/26/25 @ Garden Valley | 1 |
| 04/15/25 vs Declo | 1 |
| 04/08/25 @ Firth | 1 |
Gunner Jones was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than two hits in nine consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with one stolen base and one run. Those three hits gave him a new career-high.
In other batting news, Julian Ponce was incredible, firing off two home runs, five RBI, and three runs while getting on base in four of his five plate appearances. Wendell is 7-3 when Ponce posts two or more runs, but 1-10-1 otherwise. Another player making a difference was Zayden Rogers, who got on base in all four of his plate appearances with three RBI.
Wendell lost a few balls and finished the game with two home runs. That's the most home runs they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, Malad made easy work of Declo on Thursday and carried off a 12-3 victory. Considering the Dragons have won 13 matches by more than six runs this season, Thursday's blowout was nothing new.
Like Wendell, Malad also got a great game from a two-way player: Kurt Ward. On the mound, Ward struck out six batters over 3.1 innings while giving up three earned runs off only two hits (and only one walk). Meanwhile, Carter Carey struck out seven batters over 3.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit (and not a single walk). At bat, Ward went a perfect 1-for-1 with two RBI, while Carey got on base in all four of his plate appearances with two stolen bases and two runs.
In other batting news, Easton Green and Carter Blaisdell did most of the damage at the plate: Green went a perfect 2-for-2 with four stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI, while Blaisdell went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, one run, and one double. Ethan Horsley was another key player, earning one run and four stolen bases.
Malad is on a roll lately: they've won 13 of their last 15 contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 17-6 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.9 runs on average over those games. As for Wendell, their record now sits at 8-13-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Wendell has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Malad struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Wendell came up short against Malad when the teams last played on Friday, falling 8-3. Can the Trojans avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
