Sloan-Hendrix is 0-8 against Walnut Ridge since March of 2015 but things could change on Thursday. The Sloan-Hendrix Greyhounds will host the Walnut Ridge Bobcats at 4:30 p.m. Both come into the contest bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Sloan-Hendrix took a six-run defeat the last time they faced off against Cave City, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. Sloan-Hendrix skirted past Cave City 8-7. While the Greyhounds didn't have the best season last year (they finished 12-15), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.
Wilson Dean made a big impact no matter where he played. He tossed 1.1 innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, he posted three strikeouts, the most he's had since back in April of 2024. He was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 2-for-4.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Taylor Murphy, who scored a run and stole Two bases. while going 2-for-4. That's the most stolen bases he has posted since back in March of 2024. Corey Sullens was another key player, scoring a run and stealing a base while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Walnut Ridge, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Monday. They never let Manila get on the board and left with a 5-0 victory on Tuesday. The Bobcats haven't had any issues with the Lions recently, as the game was their seventh consecutive win against them.
Like Sloan-Hendrix, Walnut Ridge also got a great game from a two-way player: TJ OWENS. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out ten over seven innings pitched. OWENS has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two hits in three consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run while going 2-for-4. He also hit a double, marking his first of the season.
OWENS wasn't the only one making solid contact as six players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was JACE DULANEY, who scored a run while going 1-for-2. Another was COLLIN ANDREWS, who scored a run while going 2-for-3.
Walnut Ridge pushed their record up to 4-2 with the victory, which was their 15th straight at home dating back to last season. They've dominated over that stretch too, winning by an average of 9.7 runs. As for Sloan-Hendrix, the win made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 4-1.
Sloan-Hendrix might still be hurting after the 10-0 loss they got from Walnut Ridge in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Can Sloan-Hendrix avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
