The Watseka Warriors will head out on the road to challenge the Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Falcons at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Watseka is coming into the matchup on a four-game losing streak dating back to last season.
Watseka lost 12-2 to Salt Fork on Tuesday.
Watseka saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Andrew Shoemaker, who went 1-for-3 with one stolen base, one double, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, it was a Battle of the Birds when Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley took on Prairie Central on Tuesday. Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley blew past Prairie Central 12-2. The Falcons have beaten the Hawks the last three times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Hawks has come to flipping the script.
Brayden Elliott made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowed only one hit while striking out eight over five innings pitched. What's more, he gave up only zero walks, the fewest he's had since back in May of 2024. He was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring three runs and stealing a base while getting on base in four of his five plate appearances. Those three runs gave him a new career-high.
In other batting news, Graydon Leonard was incredible, scoring two runs while going 3-for-4. The dominant performance also gave him a new career-high in RBI (three). David Hull was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 3-for-4.
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .591. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Prairie Central only posted an OBP of .250.
Watseka's defeat dropped their record down to 0-3. As for Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley, their victory (their first of the season) made their record 1-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Wednesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Watseka has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 7.7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Watseka skirted past Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley 4-2 in their previous matchup back in April of 2019. Does Watseka have another victory up their sleeve, or will Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
