The Indian Springs Thunderbirds will challenge the Smith Valley Bulldogs at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Indian Springs is coming into the matchup hot, having won their last nine games.
Indian Springs is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They blew past Wells 12-3. Considering the Thunderbirds have won 17 games by more than five runs this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Adam Groeblinghoff was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He pitched seven innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off eight hits. Groeblinghoff was also big at the plate, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with one run and one RBI.
Landen Blood
| 05/16/25 vs Wells | 3 |
| 05/10/25 vs Liberty Baptist Academy | 2 |
| 04/29/25 @ Spring Mountain | 2 |
| 04/17/25 @ Round Mountain | 2 |
| 04/17/25 @ Round Mountain | 2 |
In other batting news, Landen Blood was a standout: he went a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBI. Those three hits gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Jacob Gourley, who went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI.
Indian Springs kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in five consecutive contests.
Meanwhile, Smith Valley earned a 9-5 victory over Wells on Friday. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Bulldogs.
Joseph Marshek spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered three earned (and two unearned) runs on eight hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up a single walk in three consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Luke Lannom was incredible, going 3-for-4 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base. The team also got some help courtesy of Gaston Rodriguez, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
Indian Springs' win bumped their record up to 22-5. As for Smith Valley, their victory bumped their record up to 18-5.
Saturday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Indian Springs hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .442. However, it's not like Smith Valley struggles in that department as they've averaged .489. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Indian Springs took their win against Smith Valley when the teams last played on Thursday by a conclusive 7-1 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Thunderbirds since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
