The Bagdad Sultans will head out to challenge the Ray Bearcats at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Bagdad is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.5 runs per game this season.
Bagdad's pitching crew heads into the contest hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Saturday. They had just enough and edged out Duncan 1-0. That's two games straight that the Sultans have won by just one run.
Rowdy Hooper
| 05/02/26 vs Duncan | 19 |
| 04/16/26 vs Desert Heights Prep | 10 |
| 03/27/26 vs Mogollon | 10 |
| 04/28/26 @ Valley Lutheran | 9 |
| 04/21/26 vs Williams | 9 |
Rowdy Hooper made a big impact no matter where he played. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit while striking out 19 over seven innings pitched. Those 19 strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also solid in the batter's box, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two stolen bases and one double. He has become a key player for Bagdad: the team is undefeated when he posts at least three hits, but 9-10 otherwise.
Hooper wasn't the only one making solid contact as two players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Ezrah Aguilar, who went 1-for-3 with one run.
Meanwhile, it was a proper cat-fight when Ray took on Joseph City on Saturday. The Bearcats came out on top against the Wildcats by a score of 5-1. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Bearcats.
Jesse James was excellent, going 1-for-3 with one home run and two RBI. That home run marked the first that he has launched this season.
Ray hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. The team has now struck out at least five batters in five consecutive matchups.
Bagdad's record is now 13-10. As for Ray, their record now sits at 19-8.
Saturday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Bagdad has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .452. However, it's not like Ray struggles in that department as they've averaged .510. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Bagdad couldn't quite finish off Ray when the teams last played back in February and fell 6-4. Can the Sultans avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
