The Otis Bulldogs will challenge the Merino Rams at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Merino will be up against a hot Otis squad: the team just extended their winning streak to three. The Bulldogs blew past Kiowa 12-1 on Thursday.
Gavin Price
| 04/09/26 @ Kiowa | 6 |
| 04/07/26 vs Weldon Valley | 2 |
| 04/04/26 vs Briggsdale | 1 |
| 03/31/26 vs Prairie | 2 |
| 03/31/26 vs Prairie | 1 |
| + 7 more games |
Gavin Price and Austin Hornung made a splash no matter where they played. 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 tossed 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. That's the most RBI Price has posted since back in March.
In other batting news, Otis let Mitchell Stivers and Emiliano Varela run wild. 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. Stivers is becoming a predictor of Otis' success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 8-2 (and 1-2 when he doesn't). The team also got some help courtesy of Gracen Bechtle, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Merino). They put the hurt on Holyoke with a sharp 19-1 win 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 and JJ Powell were major factors while hitting and pitching. On the mound, Poe pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Powell pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in five consecutive appearances. 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. That home run was Poe's first of the season.
In other batting news, Zavier Trenkle and Tyler Everhart did most of the damage at the plate: 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. Zachary Mackintosh was another key player, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
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 matchups they've averaged 9.4.
Otis' win bumped their record up to 9-4. As for Merino, their victory bumped their record up to 7-4.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Saturday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Otis has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 10.1 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Merino struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 7.4 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Otis suffered a grim 12-2 defeat to Merino in their previous matchup back in April of 2025. Will the Bulldogs have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
