The Wells Leopards will take on the Malad Dragons in a tournament on Friday. Wells is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 11.9 runs per game this season.
Wells is probably headed into the contest with a chip on their shoulder considering Declo just ended the team's five-game winning streak on Thursday. They lost 14-5 to the Hornets. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest defeat the Leopards have suffered since May 16, 2025.
Luis Garcia made the most of his time in the batter's box despite the final result and went 1-for-3 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Meanwhile, after only one run in their last game, Malad made sure to put some runs up on the board against Firth on Thursday. The Dragons blew past the Cougars 12-1. Considering the Dragons have won five matchups by more than eight runs this season, Thursday's blowout was nothing new.
Kurt Ward and Carter Carey did most of the damage at the plate: Ward went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs, while Carey went a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBI, two runs, and one triple. That's the most hits Carey has posted since back in April of 2025. Kyson Willie also deserves some recognition as he hit his first double of the season.
Malad always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .607. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Malad has been performing well recently as they've won five of their last six contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 7-3 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.7 runs on average over those games. As for Wells, their loss dropped their record down to 12-5.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Friday as neither team is afraid to steal. Wells has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 6.5 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Malad struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3.9 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Wells came up short against Malad in their previous meeting back in April of 2023, falling 7-3. Can the Leopards avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
