The Blue River Valley Vikings will challenge the Muncie Burris Owls at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Blue River Valley is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.6 runs per game this season.
Blue River Valley is probably headed into the match with a chip on their shoulder considering Northeastern just ended the team's three-game winning streak on Friday. They fell 8-3 to the Knights.
Blue River Valley saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was EVAN ZENTZ, who went 1-for-2 with one RBI. EVAN BLACKBURN was another, getting on base in two of his four plate appearances with two runs.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Muncie Burris). They blew past Indianapolis Shortridge 21-5 on Saturday. The win was nothing new for the Owls as they're now sitting on three straight.
Solomon Muliiira made a splash no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out 15 batters over five innings while giving up three earned (and two unearned) runs off three hits. Those 15 strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with two stolen bases, one run, and one RBI. He has been hot, having posted at least one stolen base the last five times he's played.
In other batting news, Nicolas Bontzek was incredible, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with five RBI, two runs, and one triple. He has become a key player for Muncie Burris: the team is undefeated when he posts at least three RBI, but 5-9 otherwise. The team also got some help courtesy of Cameron Milleman, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI.
Muncie Burris always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .579. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Muncie Burris' victory bumped their record up to 8-9. As for Blue River Valley, their loss dropped their record down to 9-6.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Wednesday as neither team is afraid to steal. Blue River Valley has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.8 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Muncie Burris struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3.2 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Blue River Valley took their win against Muncie Burris when the teams last played back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 10-1 score. Do the Vikings have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Owls turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
