Merino is 9-0 against Peetz since March of 2015, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Thursday. The Merino Rams are on the road again to play the Peetz Bulldogs at 2:00 p.m. Merino is strutting in with some hitting muscle, as they've averaged 9.9 runs per game this season.
Merino fought the good fight in their extra-innings contest against Otis on Monday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Bulldogs by a score of 7-6.
Josiah Mackintosh was huge while hitting and pitching even without the win. On the mound, he tossed five innings while giving up just one earned (and four unearned) runs off three hits. Mackintosh has been consistent recently: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in five consecutive pitching appearances. Mackintosh was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-5 with two runs and a triple.
In other batting news, Tyler Miller and Jaxson Samber did some serious damage despite the final result: Miller scored a run while going 3-for-5, while Samber went 2-for-4 with three RBI, a triple, and a run.
Meanwhile, Peetz scored the most runs they've had all season to find success on Tuesday. They skirted past Prairie 20-18. The victory was just what Peetz needed coming off of a 17-6 defeat in their prior game.
Like Merino, Peetz also got a great game from a two-way player: Rhyder Bayne. He struck out six batters over two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit (and not a single walk). Bayne was even better at the plate, scoring three runs and stealing three bases while getting on base in all five of his plate appearances.
In other batting news, Peetz got a massive performance out of Conner Schumacher, who scored four runs and stole a base while going 4-for-5. Chance Segelke was another key contributor, scoring four runs and stealing two bases while going 4-for-5.
Merino's loss dropped their record down to 8-3. As for Peetz, their win bumped their record up to 2-5.
Peetz's pitching crew has a tough task ahead of them: Merino has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9.7 hits per game. It's a different story for Peetz, though, as they've been averaging 16.1. Given Merino's sizable advantage in that area, Peetz will need to find a way to close that gap.
Merino took their victory against Peetz in their previous matchup back in May of 2023 by a conclusive 12-0. Does Merino have another victory up their sleeve, or will Peetz turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
