The Valparaiso Vikings will venture away from home to take on the Hanover Central Wildcats at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Valparaiso will be looking to extend their current seven-game winning streak.
Valparaiso barely beat La Porte the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. The Vikings were the clear victors by an 18-2 margin over the Slicers on Wednesday. The result was nothing new for the Vikings, who have now won 12 matchups by six runs or more so far this season.
Lucas Haas
| 05/13/26 vs La Porte | 5 |
| 05/06/26 @ Michigan City | 8 |
| 04/29/26 @ Merrillville | 8 |
| 04/22/26 @ Portage | 9 |
Lucas Haas tossed a big game, not allowing a single earned run over five innings pitched. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in four consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Trent Gill was incredible, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. Another player making a difference was DJ Malloy, who went 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs.
Valparaiso always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .575. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as La Porte only posted an OBP of .320.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Hanover Central, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Friday. They walked away with a 5-2 victory over New Prairie on Saturday.
Valparaiso's record is now 18-4. As for Hanover Central, their record now sits at 14-7-1.
Both the two teams just can't seem to miss. Valparaiso has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9.2 hits per game. However, it's not like Hanover Central struggles in that department as they've been averaging only 4.6 hits. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Valparaiso couldn't quite get it done against Hanover Central when the teams last played back in May of 2023 as they fell 5-2. Can the Vikings avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
