vs
| 04/25/24 - Home | 6-11 L |
| 05/30/23 - Home | 5-4 W |
| 05/09/23 - Home | 6-12 L |
| 04/24/23 - Away | 9-5 W |
| 05/31/22 - Away | 1-4 L |
| + 5 more games |
Big Lake and Becker are an even 5-5 against one another since May of 2021, but likely not for long. The Hornets will venture away from home to face off against the Bulldogs at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Big Lake's pitching crew has only allowed 3.5 runs per game this season, so Becker's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
For whatever reason, it's the away team that's had the advantage when Big Lake and St. Francis meet (three straight games heading into this one) and that held true again on Monday. The Hornets fell 5-2 to the Fighting Saints. The Hornets' loss signaled the end of their three-game winning streak.
Big Lake saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Austin Schleif, who went 2-for-3 with one RBI.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Becker). They were the clear victors by a 14-0 margin over Cambridge-Isanti on Tuesday. The team's explosion at the plate also rewarded the Bulldogs with their most commanding win of the season.
Isaac Guck was incredible, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with two stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI. He is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now snagged at least one in each of the last four games he's played. Hunter Pietrowski was another key player, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with two runs, one double, and one RBI.
Becker kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their hit total in three consecutive matches.
Becker's victory ended a three-game drought on the road and puts them at 3-5. As for Big Lake, they suffered their first home defeat, dropping their record down to 4-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Big Lake has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 11.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Becker struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Big Lake couldn't quite get it done against Becker in their previous meeting back in April of 2024 as they fell 11-6. Can the Hornets avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
