The McClave Cardinals will square off against the Eads Eagles at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. McClave is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.8 runs per game this season.
McClave is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Tuesday. They never let Stratton get on the board and left with a 4-0 victory. The Cardinals haven't had any issues with the Eagles recently, as the game was their third consecutive win against them.
Kielan Mallard
| 04/29/25 vs Stratton | 11 |
| 04/25/25 @ Eads | 7 |
| 04/19/25 vs Stratton | 7 |
| 04/14/25 vs Otis | 7 |
| 04/11/25 @ Holly | 2 |
| + 2 more games |
Kielan Mallard made a splash while hitting and pitching. He didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out 11 over seven innings pitched. That's the most strikeouts he has posted since back in March. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-2 with one home run and two RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Lawton Annen, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Meanwhile, Eads strolled into their game on Tuesday with a perfect record and they left with the same. They blew past Manzanola 21-0. The Eagles' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Like McClave, Eads also got a great game from a two-way player: Adyn Hough. Throwing, Hough pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Case Nelson tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Hough has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in ten consecutive appearances. At the plate, Hough went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and two runs, while Nelson got on base in two of his three plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
In other batting news, Stockton Mitchek was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two stolen bases, five RBI, and three runs. He has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last four times he's played. Weston Mitchek was another key player, going a perfect 2-for-2 with three RBI, two runs, and one double.
Eads always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .742. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Eads' victory was their 13th straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 16-0. As for McClave, their record is now 11-7.
McClave suffered a grim 11-2 defeat to Eads in their previous meeting on Friday. Can the Cardinals avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
