Mercer is 9-1 against Reynolds since April of 2019 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Monday. The Mustangs will host the Raiders at 4:00 p.m. Mercer is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.4 runs per game this season.
Mercer will bounce into Monday's game after beating Sharpsville, who they had gone 0-9 against in their nine prior meetings. The Mustangs walked away with a 14-9 victory over the Blue Devils on Saturday. The Mustangs' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Aedan Ryhal
| 04/01/25 @ Greenville | 4 |
| 03/27/25 @ Karns City | 3 |
| 03/25/25 @ Grove City | 1 |
Aedan Ryhal and Jayden Amos made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, Ryhal pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Amos tossed 2.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Ryhal also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Mercer is 3-1 when he allows at most one earned run, but 1-2 otherwise. At bat, Ryhal went 2-for-4 with one triple, one stolen base, and one run, while Amos scored three runs and stole two bases while getting on base in four of his five plate appearances. That's the most runs Amos has posted since back in April of 2024.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Cole Fisher, who scored three runs and stole two bases while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances. That's the most runs he has posted since back in April of 2024. Parker Puskar was another key player, going 1-for-2 with one triple, two RBI, and one run.
Mercer always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .568. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Reynolds was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their fourth straight defeat. They lost 6-0 to West Middlesex.
Mercer's win was their first in the conference, bumping their conference record up to 1-2 and their overall record up to 4-3. As for Reynolds, their loss dropped their record down to 1-4.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Mercer has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Reynolds struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Everything went Mercer's way against Reynolds when the teams last played back in April of 2024, as Mercer made off with a 9-0 victory. Do the Mustangs have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Raiders turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
