Beatrice and Nebraska City are an even 5-5 against one another since April of 2017, but likely not for long. The Orangemen will take on the Pioneers at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Beatrice is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.6 runs per game this season.
On Friday, Beatrice beat Platteview 5-1.
Kale Koch spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered only one earned run on five hits and racked up eight Ks. Beatrice is undefeated when Koch posts eight or more strikeouts, but 6-8 otherwise.
Austin Baldwin
| 03/28/25 @ Lincoln Northwest | 4 |
| 04/25/25 @ Platteview | 3 |
| 04/12/25 @ Platte Valley | 3 |
| 03/25/25 vs Ralston | 3 |
| 04/15/25 vs Platte Valley | 2 |
| + 7 more games |
On the hitting side, Austin Baldwin was incredible, going 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, three runs, and two doubles. He is becoming a predictor of Beatrice's success: when he posts at least three hits the team is 3-1 (and 6-7 when he doesn't). The team also got some help courtesy of Ty Weichel, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with four RBI, one stolen base, and one run.
Meanwhile, Nebraska City came into Friday's game having lost nine straight, but that streak is now in the rearview. They blew past Falls City 8-2 on Friday. The Pioneers not only won on Friday, but they posted their biggest win since March 31st (when they won 10-0).
Landon Ferguson made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He tossed three innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off two hits. What's more, he posted three strikeouts, the most he's had since back in March. He was even better at the plate, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with three stolen bases and two runs.
In other pitching news, Derek Van Arsdol looked comfortable as he tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two walks any time he's pitched this season.
Back at the plate, the team relied heavily on Carter Hoyle, who went 2-for-3 with three RBI and one double. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in March. Callen Schnitzer also deserves some recognition as he hit his first double of the season.
Nebraska City always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .514. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
The victory was their first on the road , bumping their record up to 4-12. As for Beatrice, they now have a winning record of 9-8.
