The Buckhorn Wildcats will head out to challenge the Jenkins Cavaliers at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Buckhorn has a tough task ahead: they'll enter the contest with 11 straight defeats, while Jenkins will come in with five straight wins.
It was a proper cat-fight when Buckhorn faced off against Cordia on Thursday. The Wildcats took an 8-3 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Lions.
| 03/28/26 vs Lynn Camp | 4 |
| 04/30/26 vs Cordia | 2 |
| 04/07/26 vs Oneida Baptist Institute | 2 |
| 03/24/26 vs Red Bird | 2 |
| 03/18/26 vs Lee County | 1 |
Buckhorn saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Caleb McIntosh, who went 1-for-2 with two stolen bases and one run. McIntosh is becoming a predictor of the Wildcats' success: when he posts at least two stolen bases the team is 3-1 (and 0-21 when he doesn't).
Jenkins came out on top against Cordia on Wednesday thanks in part to the team's impressive seven-run sixth inning. The Cavaliers put the hurt on the Lions with a sharp 14-3 victory. The Cavaliers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won seven matchups by six runs or more this season.
Kale Owens was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he didn't allow a single hit while striking out nine over six innings pitched. He has been consistent: he hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts in six consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and two RBI. That home run was his first of the season.
In other batting news, Jenkins got a massive performance out of Roger Niles, who went 2-for-4 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base. Niles is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now snagged at least one in each of the last five games he's played. Another player making a difference was Sammy Whitaker, who went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, three RBI, and one run.
Jenkins kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least nine hits in six consecutive games.
Buckhorn's loss dropped their record down to 3-22. As for Jenkins, their win was their first in the district, bumping their district record up to 1-7 and their overall record up to 9-12.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Friday as neither team is afraid to steal. Buckhorn has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.7 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Jenkins struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Buckhorn suffered a grim 12-4 defeat to Jenkins in their previous matchup back in March. Can the Wildcats avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
