The Southern Indians will square off against the United Golden Eagles at 5:00 p.m. on Monday. Southern has given up an average of 11.7 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Southern came up short against Columbiana on Wednesday, falling 18-4. The Indians have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Southern saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Brody Brown, who went 1-for-3 with two RBI. Zac Mayfield was another, getting on base in two of his four plate appearances with two runs and one stolen base.
Meanwhile, United entered their tilt with Leetonia on Wednesday with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. They blew past the Bears 11-1. The Golden Eagles might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won six games by seven runs or more this season.
Parker Newburn made a big impact no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only two hits while striking out 20 over seven innings pitched. Those 20 strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-5 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run.
In other batting news, United let Kadin Schonauer and Quentin Taylor run wild. Schonauer went 3-for-5 with one home run, three runs, and two doubles, while Taylor went 4-for-5 with three stolen bases, three runs, and one double. Those three runs gave Taylor a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Wyatt Swanson, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double.
United was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .459. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.
United's win bumped their record up to 14-5. As for Southern, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-10.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Southern has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.4 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like United struggles in that department as they've been averaging 9.3 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Southern suffered a grim 13-1 defeat to United in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Can the Indians avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
