Homestead is 9-1 against Fort Wayne Northrop since May of 2015 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Saturday. The Spartans will square off against the Bruins at 10:00 a.m. Homestead is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.1 runs per game this season.
Homestead is probably headed into the game with a chip on their shoulder considering Columbia City just ended the team's 11-game winning streak on Monday. They fell just short of the Eagles by a score of 9-7.
Luke Neiswonger
| 04/28/25 @ Columbia City | 1 |
| 04/24/25 vs Norwell | 1 |
| 04/18/25 vs Edgewood | 0 |
| 04/12/25 vs Wapahani | 1 |
| 04/03/25 vs Avon | 1 |
Luke Neiswonger put in work while hitting and pitching. He struck out nine batters over 3.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off four hits (and only one walk). He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than one walk in five consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one home run, two RBI, and one double.
In other pitching news, Homestead got a good showing from Jacob Erb, who pitched 2.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Erb has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than two walks any time he's pitched this season.
Back at the plate, Luke Haley was cooking despite his team's loss, going 1-for-3 with one home run and four RBI. That home run was his first of the season. Another player making a difference was Johnnie Ankenbruck, who went 2-for-4 with one run and one double.
Meanwhile, Fort Wayne Northrop was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their eighth straight defeat. They were two runs away from ending the streak, but they lost a 4-2 heartbreaker at the hands of Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian.
Fort Wayne Northrop saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Malachi Williams, who went 1-for-4 with two RBI and one double.
Fort Wayne Northrop's record now sits at 1-14. As for Homestead, they suffered their first road loss, dropping their record down to 12-2.
Fort Wayne Northrop's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Homestead hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .347. It's a different story for Fort Wayne Northrop, though, as they've only averaged .217. Will they be able to contain Homestead's hitters?
Homestead beat Fort Wayne Northrop 7-3 when the teams last played back in May of 2024. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Spartans since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
