The Bangor Rams will head out on the road to face off against the Oxford Hills Vikings at 4:00 p.m. on Monday. Bangor is coming into the game hot, having won their last four games.
Bangor is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Maine's top teams: Old Town, who was ranked 14th at the time (Bangor was ranked 11th). The Rams had just enough and edged out the Coyotes 7-6 on Friday. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Rams have posted against the Coyotes since May 4, 2021.
Meanwhile, Oxford Hills got the win against Lewiston on Wednesday by a conclusive 11-2. The result was nothing new for the Vikings, who have now won three contests by six runs or more so far this season.
Colton Jendrick made a splash no matter where he played. On the mound, he pitched four innings while giving up just two earned runs off six hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with one run and one double. That double was his first of the season.
In other pitching news, Cassius Thibeault looked comfortable as he pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two hits any time he's pitched this season.
Back at the plate, Gabe Damon and Carter Holbrook did most of the damage at the plate: Damon went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI, while Holbrook got on base in three of his five plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. Holbrook is becoming a predictor of Oxford Hills' success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 2-5 when he doesn't). Jacoby Turcotte was another key player, going 2-for-4 with three RBI and one run.
Oxford Hills kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 5.4 hits per game earlier this season, but in their last 15 matches they've averaged 9.4.
Bangor pushed their record up to 7-2 with the win, which was their sixth straight at home dating back to last season. Those home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.8 runs on average over those games. As for Oxford Hills, the win got them back to even at 5-5.
Bangor beat Oxford Hills 6-2 in their previous meeting back in June of 2024. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Rams since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
