The Galatia/Thompsonville Bearcats will head out to face off against the Crab Orchard Trojans at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Crab Orchard took a loss in their last game and will be looking to turn the tables on Galatia/Thompsonville, who comes in off a win.
On Wednesday, Galatia/Thompsonville earned a 6-2 victory over Norris City-Omaha-Enfield. The Bearcats haven't had any issues with the Fighting Cardinals recently, as the game was their sixth consecutive win against them.
Joey Sais was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He didn't allow a single earned run over five innings pitched. Sais was also big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double. That's the most hits he has posted since back in April of 2024.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Bryson Roberts, who went 2-for-4 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one double. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in March. Brayden Gaither was another key player, going 1-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Crab Orchard was not able to break out of their rough patch on Wednesday as the team picked up their seventh straight defeat. They came up short against Hardin County, falling 9-2.
Like Galatia/Thompsonville, Crab Orchard also got a great game from a two-way player: Fisher Watts. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits over five innings pitched. Watts has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in six consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with two RBI.
Crab Orchard's loss dropped their record down to 3-9. As for Galatia/Thompsonville, their record is now 10-7.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Galatia/Thompsonville has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Crab Orchard struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.2 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Galatia/Thompsonville beat Crab Orchard 4-0 in their previous meeting on April 1st. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Bearcats since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
