The Houston Hilltoppers will venture away from home to challenge the East Webster Wolverines at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Houston is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.2 runs per game this season.
On Friday, Houston needed a bit of extra time to put away Itawamba Agricultural. They came out on top in a nail-biter against the Indians, sneaking past 9-8. The win was some much needed relief for the Hilltoppers as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.
Tanner Boswell made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He tossed 5.1 innings while giving up just two earned (and three unearned) runs off seven hits. Boswell was also big at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two RBI. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in March.
In other pitching news, JT Shaw looked comfortable as he pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He is becoming a predictor of Houston's success: when he allows at most two hits the team is 4-1 (and 10-11-1 when he doesn't).
Elias Cardwell
| 04/10/26 vs Itawamba Agricultural | 3 |
| 03/30/26 vs Shannon | 3 |
| 02/28/26 @ Bruce | 3 |
| 03/07/26 @ Eupora | 2 |
| 04/07/26 @ Itawamba Agricultural | 1 |
| + 8 more games |
Back at the plate, the team relied heavily on Elias Cardwell, who got on base in four of his five plate appearances with one home run, two stolen bases, and three runs. Houston is undefeated when Cardwell posts two or more runs, but 10-12-1 otherwise.
Eupora typically has all the answers at home, but on Friday East Webster proved too difficult a challenge. They put the hurt on the Eagles with a sharp 17-9 victory. The result was nothing new for the Wolverines, who have now won 16 games by six runs or more so far this season.
Like Houston, East Webster also got a great game from a two-way player: Huntet Stewart. On the mound, he pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Stewart has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one walk in seven consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-5 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run.
In other batting news, East Webster got a massive performance out of Elliot Grimes, who got on base in five of his six plate appearances with three runs, two doubles, and one stolen base. Miles Stidham was another key player, going 3-for-5 with four runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
East Webster kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 14 hits. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 4.8 hits per game earlier this season, but in their last 15 contests they've averaged 9.4.
Houston's record now sits at 14-12-1. As for East Webster, their record is now 20-6.
East Webster's pitching crew better be locked in on Saturday. Houston hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 0.4 home runs per game. It's a different story for East Webster, though, as they've been averaging only 0 home runs. Will they be able to keep Houston in the park?
Houston suffered a grim 15-3 defeat to East Webster in their previous meeting back in April of 2023. Can the Hilltoppers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
