The Jac-Cen-Del Eagles will face off against the South Ripley Raiders at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Jac-Cen-Del is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.3 runs per game this season.
Jac-Cen-Del is headed into the matchup having just posted their closest win since May 18, 2024 on Tuesday. They had just enough and edged out Waldron 5-3.
Blake Wagner and Brody Huff made a splash no matter where they played. Throwing, Wagner pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs off four hits. Meanwhile, Huff struck out six batters over four innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off four hits. Wagner also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Jac-Cen-Del is undefeated when he allows at most one earned run, but 1-2 otherwise. At the plate, Wagner got on base in three of his four plate appearances with one RBI, while Huff went 3-for-4 with one run and one RBI.
Neil Sullivan
| 04/22/25 @ Waldron | 4 |
| 04/29/24 @ Rising Sun | 3 |
| 04/09/24 @ Shawe Memorial | 3 |
| 04/08/25 @ Southwestern | 2 |
| 05/20/24 @ North Decatur | 2 |
They weren't the only ones making solid contact as four players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Neil Sullivan, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with three RBI, one stolen base, and one run. Those four hits gave him a new career-high.
Jac-Cen-Del kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for South Ripley, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Monday. They blew past Rising Sun 9-2 on Wednesday. That looming 9-2 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Raiders yet this season.
Like Jac-Cen-Del, South Ripley also got a great game from a two-way player: Mason McNew. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit (and only one walk). McNew was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with one stolen base, one double, and one RBI.
In other batting news, Trenton Smith was excellent, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with two stolen bases and three runs. Another player making a difference was Trevor Castner, who got on base in all four of his plate appearances with one run and one RBI.
South Ripley's victory was their sixth straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 3-2. The home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 8.0 runs over those games. As for Jac-Cen-Del, their victory bumped their record up to 5-2.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Friday as neither team is afraid to steal. Jac-Cen-Del has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.7 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like South Ripley struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 4 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
