The Blackford Bruins will face off against the Wapahani Raiders at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Both come into the match bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Blackford is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. Everything went their way against Liberty Christian on Tuesday as they made off with a 19-2 win. The victory was some much needed relief for the Bruins as it spelled an end to their seven-game losing streak.
Owen Norton
| 05/27/25 vs Liberty Christian | 11 |
| 04/17/25 @ Muncie Central | 7 |
| 04/22/25 vs Marion | 5 |
| 04/10/25 @ Bluffton | 4 |
| 05/22/25 vs Adams Central | 3 |
Owen Norton was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run while striking out 11 over five innings pitched. Those 11 strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. He is becoming a predictor of Blackford's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 2-1 (and 7-16 when he doesn't).
In other batting news, Blackford let Clayton Heflin and Max Bonewit run wild. Heflin got on base in all three of his plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI, while Bonewit went 3-for-4 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run. That's the most RBI Bonewit has posted since back in April. The team also got some help courtesy of Koen Pitts, who went 1-for-3 with three RBI and two runs.
Blackford always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .711. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Meanwhile, Wapahani was able to grind out a solid win over Blue River Valley on Saturday, taking the game 5-2. The victory continues a trend for the Raiders in their matchups with the Vikings: they've now won nine in a row.
Wapahani also got a great performance from Brandt Longfellow as he pitched six innings while giving up just two earned runs off three hits.
On the hitting side, Quentine James was incredible, going 2-for-3 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. Nate Luce was another key player, going 2-for-3 with two runs.
Blackford's win bumped their record up to 9-17. As for Wapahani, their victory bumped their record up to 16-8.
