Montpelier has gone a perfect 10-0 against Hilltop recently and they'll look to pad the win column further on Thursday. The Locomotives will host the Cadets at 5:00 p.m. Montpelier is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 11.1 runs per game this season.
Montpelier will roll into the match after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up one run on Monday, then bounced right back against Gorham Fayette on Tuesday. The Locomotives blew past the Eagles 26-2. The Locomotives haven't had any issues with the Eagles recently, as the game was their sixth consecutive win against them.
Jaxon Stahler made a splash no matter where he played. He struck out seven batters over 3.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with three runs and three RBI.
Hayden Sharps
| 04/22/25 vs Gorham Fayette | 4 |
| 04/15/25 @ Stryker | 3 |
| 04/14/25 @ Paulding | 2 |
| 04/16/24 @ Gorham Fayette | 2 |
| 04/06/24 @ Evergreen | 2 |
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Hayden Sharps, who got on base in three of his five plate appearances with five stolen bases and four runs. Those four runs gave him a new career-high. Jacob Lyons was another key player, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with three runs, two RBI, and one double.
Montpelier always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .619. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Gorham Fayette only posted an OBP of .261.
Meanwhile, Hilltop entered their tilt with Holgate on Tuesday with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. They came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured a 7-6 W against the Tigers. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Cadets have posted since April 3rd.
Like Montpelier, Hilltop also got a great game from a two-way player: Devin Dempsey. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Dempsey was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one triple, one stolen base, and one run. That triple was his first of the season.
In other batting news, Anthony Jiannuzzi was excellent, going 2-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one double. That double marked the first that he has hit this season.
Hilltop's win bumped their record up to 6-4. As for Montpelier, their victory bumped their record up to 7-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Montpelier has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Hilltop struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 9.3 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Montpelier skirted past Hilltop 4-3 in their previous meeting on April 4th. Do the Locomotives have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Cadets turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
