The Merino Rams will head out on the road to take on the Otis Bulldogs at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Merino is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They were the clear victors by a 19-1 margin over Holyoke on Tuesday. The victory continues a trend for the Rams in their matchups with the Dragons: they've now won six in a row.
Isaac Poe
| 04/07/26 vs Holyoke | 3 |
| 03/17/26 @ Yuma | 1 |
| 04/08/25 @ Holyoke | 3 |
Isaac Poe and JJ Powell made a splash no matter where they played. On the mound, Poe tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Powell pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, Poe posted three strikeouts, the most he's had since back in April of 2025. At the plate, Poe went 2-for-4 with one home run, two stolen bases, and two runs, while Powell went 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs. Poe is becoming a predictor of Merino's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 3-4 when he doesn't).
In other batting news, Merino let Zavier Trenkle and Tyler Everhart run wild. Trenkle went a perfect 3-for-3 with four runs, two stolen bases, and one RBI, while Everhart got on base in all four of his plate appearances with four RBI and two runs. That's the most hits Trenkle has posted since back in May of 2025. Jordan Rose also deserves some recognition as he got his first hit of the season.
Merino kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 15 hits. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 5 hits per game earlier this season, but in their last 15 games they've averaged 9.4.
Meanwhile, Otis got the win against Kiowa on Thursday by a conclusive 12-1.
Gavin Price and Austin Hornung made a big impact while hitting and pitching. Throwing, Price struck out six batters over four innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits (and only one walk). Meanwhile, Hornung pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. At bat, Price went 2-for-4 with one home run, six RBI, and one stolen base, while Hornung earned one run and two stolen bases. Price is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now snagged at least one in each of the last six games he's played.
In other batting news, Mitchell Stivers and Emiliano Varela did most of the damage at the plate: Stivers went 2-for-4 with three stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI, while Varela got on base in three of his four plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and one double. Varela has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last three times he's played. Gracen Bechtle was another key player, going 2-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base.
Merino's record now sits at 7-4. As for Otis, their record is now 9-4.
Saturday's matchup might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Merino has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .460. However, it's not like Otis struggles in that department as they've averaged .537. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Everything went Merino's way against Otis in their previous meeting back in April of 2025, as Merino made off with a 12-2 win. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Rams since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
