The Bracken County Polar Bears will venture away from home to square off against the Grant County Braves at 5:30 p.m. on Monday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.
As a matter of fact, Bracken County put up the most runs they have all season on Friday. Everything went their way against Holmes as they made off with a 20-9 victory. The win was some much needed relief for the Polar Bears as it spelled an end to their seven-game losing streak.
Mitchell Steinhauer made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he tossed 1.2 innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Steinhauer was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with four runs, four RBI, and one stolen base. He also put up a double, which was his first of the season.
In other batting news, Noah Bachman was a standout: he went 1-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI. That home run marked the first that he has launched this season. Caleb Emery was another key player, going 2-for-3 with three runs, three RBI, and one triple.
Bracken County always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .622. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
The home team had won the previous three meetings between Grant County and Bourbon County, and Grant County kept the tradition alive. The Braves put the hurt on the Colonels with a sharp 10-1 victory on Saturday. The result was nothing new for the Braves, who have now won eight games by seven runs or more so far this season.
Seth Tucker made a big impact no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out seven batters over 2.1 innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. That's the most strikeouts he has posted since back in April of 2024. He was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. He has become a key player for Grant County: the team is 8-1 when he posts at least two runs, but 1-5 otherwise.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Luke Williams, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with two stolen bases, two doubles, and one run. That's the most stolen bases he has posted since back in March. The team also got some help courtesy of James Ely, who earned one run and two stolen bases.
Grant County's win ended a three-game drought at home and bumped them up to 9-6. As for Bracken County, the victory was their first at home , bumping their record up to 2-8.
Monday's matchup might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Bracken County has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .450. However, it's not like Grant County struggles in that department as they've averaged .447. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Bracken County suffered a grim 17-7 defeat to Grant County when the teams last played back in March of 2024. Can the Polar Bears avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
