Bagdad has gone 9-1 against Williams recently and they'll look to pad the win column further on Tuesday. The Sultans will head out to challenge the Vikings at 2:00 p.m. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Bagdad had to skate by with only a two-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the six-run drubbing they dealt Joseph City on Friday. The Sultans put the hurt on the Wildcats with a sharp 7-1 win. The Sultans haven't had any issues with the Wildcats recently, as the game was their fifth consecutive victory against them.
Zayden Sanders
| 04/18/25 vs Joseph City | 3 |
| 04/01/25 @ Wickenburg | 0 |
| 03/19/25 vs Valley Lutheran | 4 |
Zayden Sanders looked comfortable as he pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. What's more, he posted three strikeouts, the most he's had since back in March.
On the hitting side, Aaron Landers was a standout: he went a perfect 1-for-1 with three stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Rowdy Hooper, who went 1-for-2 with one home run and two RBI.
Bagdad always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .750. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Williams, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Tuesday. They were the clear victors by a 20-1 margin over Ash Fork/Seligman on Thursday.
Jaxon Steng made a splash no matter where he played. On the mound, he struck out seven batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and only one walk). Steng was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two runs and one double.
In other batting news, Williams got a massive performance out of Jace Maebe, who went 3-for-4 with three runs, four RBI, and one stolen base. Mario Pedraza was another key player, going 2-for-3 with four runs, two stolen bases, and one double.
Bagdad pushed their record up to 18-4 with the win, which was their eighth straight at home. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 13.3 runs over those games. As for Williams, their record is now 12-7-1.
Tuesday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Bagdad has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .505. However, it's not like Williams struggles in that department as they've averaged .510. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Bagdad took their win against Williams in their previous meeting back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 8-0 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Sultans since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
