Midway is 0-7 against Coalfield since March of 2015 but things could change on Thursday. The Green Wave will welcome the Yellow Jackets at 5:30 p.m. The two teams are strolling into their matches after big wins in their previous games.
Having struggled with six defeats in a row, Midway turned things around against Rockwood on Wednesday. They blew past the Tigers 19-2. The Green Wave not only won on Wednesday, but they posted their biggest win since March 17th (when they won 18-0).
Dawson Buckner
| 03/14/25 @ Sunbright | 4 |
| 04/23/25 @ Rockwood | 3 |
| 03/25/25 @ Harriman | 3 |
| 04/08/25 vs Rockwood | 2 |
| 03/17/25 @ Oakdale | 2 |
| + 6 more games |
Dawson Buckner made a splash no matter where he played. He struck out seven batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits (and only one walk). Buckner was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three runs and three RBI. He is becoming a predictor of Midway's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 3-17-1 when he doesn't).
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Rowynn McClure, who got on base in all three of his plate appearances with two runs and two RBI. He has become a key player for Midway: the team is 5-1 when he posts at least two runs, but 4-16-1 otherwise. Pepper Willoughby was another key player, earning two RBI, two runs, and one stolen base.
Meanwhile, Coalfield waltzed into their contest on Tuesday with nine straight wins... but they left with ten. Their pitcher stepped up to hand the Bulldogs a 10-0 shutout. The result was nothing new for the Yellow Jackets, who have now won 17 games by six runs or more so far this season.
Like Midway, Coalfield also got a great game from a two-way player: Waylon Burgess. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit over five innings pitched. Burgess has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with two RBI and one double.
In other batting news, Luke Treece was incredible, firing off two home runs, three runs, and three RBI while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances. Those two home runs gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Levi Heidel, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with three runs and one stolen base.
Coalfield was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .429. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .320 or higher in seven consecutive matches.
Midway's victory bumped their record up to 9-17-1. As for Coalfield, their win bumped their record up to 21-5.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Midway has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Coalfield struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.3 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Midway came up short against Coalfield when the teams last played back in April of 2024, falling 9-4. Can the Green Wave avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
