Baseball Game Preview: Bunker Hill Bears vs. Bandys Trojans

For the second straight game, Bunker Hill will face off against Bandys. The Bears will square off against the Trojans at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. The last five games Bunker Hill has played have been within two runs, so don't be surprised if it's a close one.

Bunker Hill took a loss when they played away from home on Friday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Tuesday. They won by a run and slipped past Bandys 4-3. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Bears have posted since March 3rd.

Ross Fickling spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered three earned runs on six hits and racked up 11 Ks. He has been consistent : he hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances.

Kamden Bortz

Runs

04/15/25 vs Bandys	2
04/04/25 @ East Burke	2
03/28/25 vs West Caldwell	2
03/25/25 @ Lincolnton	2
03/07/25 @ West Caldwell	2
+ 12 more games

On the hitting side, Kamden Bortz and Corey Canipe did most of the damage at the plate: Bortz scored two runs while going 2-for-4, while Canipe went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Bunker Hill is 5-1 when Bortz posts two or more runs, but 4-9 otherwise.

Bandys has traveled a rocky road recently, having lost three of their last four matches. That's put a noticeable dent in their 5-11 record this season. That patch can't be blamed on the team's pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.5 runs on average over those games. As for Bunker Hill, with the win, they broke their four-game losing streak and moved their record to 9-10.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Bunker Hill has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.3 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Bandys 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. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.