The Malad Dragons will challenge the Wendell Trojans at 3:00 p.m. on Friday. Malad is coming into the matchup hot, having won their last seven games.
Malad's pitching crew heads into the contest hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Thursday. They put the hurt on Lighthouse Christian with a sharp 10-0 victory. The Dragons might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 14 games by seven runs or more this season.
The team relied heavily on Hudson Daniels, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Ethan Horsley, who went 2-for-3 with three runs.
They weren't the only ones making solid contact: Malad kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least nine hits in nine consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, two teams were on the hunt for playoff glory, but only Wendell walked away with it. They came out on top in a nail-biter against the Hornets on Thursday, sneaking past 4-3. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Trojans have posted since March 19th.
Beckett Yon was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He also tossed no walks, which is notable because Wendell is undefeated when he allows at most one walk, but 8-9 otherwise. Yon was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Yon wasn't the only one making solid contact as four players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Deegan Prince, who went 2-for-4 with one run and one double.
Malad's victory bumped their record up to 18-4. As for Wendell, their win bumped their record up to 13-9.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Malad has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Wendell struggles in that department as they've been averaging 6.9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Malad got the 'W' when the teams last played on Friday against Wendell by a conclusive 12-3 score. Do the Dragons have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Trojans turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
