The Reading Blue Devils will venture away from home to challenge the Batavia Bulldogs at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Reading is coming into the matchup hot, having won their last six games.
While Reading didn't have the best season last year (they finished 10-14), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They walked away with a 4-1 win over Taylor on Wednesday.
Connor Davis
| 04/23/25 vs Taylor | 1 |
| 04/09/25 vs Indian Hill | 1 |
| 03/29/25 @ Blanchester | 0 |
Connor Davis was a major factor no matter where he played. He didn't allow a single earned run while striking out 12 over seven innings pitched. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one walk in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.
In other batting news, Carter Reed was excellent, going 1-for-3 with two runs and one stolen base.
Meanwhile, Batavia posted their closest victory since April 7th on Wednesday. They skirted past Clinton-Massie 4-3. The win continues a trend for the Bulldogs in their matchups with the Falcons: they've now won six in a row.
Like Reading, Batavia also got a great game from a two-way player: Brayden Schmittou. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run over six innings pitched. Schmittou was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in two of his four plate appearances with one stolen base and one run.
In other pitching news, Max Rash looked comfortable as he tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits.
Schmittou wasn't the only one making solid contact as four players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Max Mehlman, who went 1-for-3 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Reading pushed their record up to 7-3 with the victory, which was their fourth straight at home. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.8 runs on average over those games. As for Batavia, their record now sits at 11-3.
Thursday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Reading has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .484. However, it's not like Batavia struggles in that department as they've averaged .487. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Reading suffered a grim 9-0 defeat to Batavia when the teams last played back in May of 2024. Can the Blue Devils avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
