The Crowley County Chargers will challenge the Rye Thunderbolts at 3:00 p.m. on Friday.
Crowley County is probably headed into the matchup with a chip on their shoulder considering Peyton just ended the team's four-game winning streak on Wednesday. They came up short against the Panthers, falling 9-2. The game marked the Chargers' lowest-scoring contest so far this season.
Rye's found some homefield redemption this week after a overtime loss to Las Animas on Wednesday. The Thunderbolts never let Colorado Springs Christian get on the board and left with an 8-0 victory. Considering the Thunderbolts have won four matchups by more than seven runs this season, Wednesday's blowout was nothing new.
Wyatt Scheid was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has become a key player for Rye: the team is 4-1 when he allows at most three hits, but 2-5 otherwise. Scheid was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with three stolen bases, three RBI, and two runs. That's the most hits he has posted since back in April of 2025.
In other batting news, Jackson Bjorum was a standout: he went 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. He is becoming a predictor of Rye's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 2-6 when he doesn't). Another player making a difference was Nathan Gray, who went 2-for-3 with two runs and one stolen base.
Rye kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. They are a perfect 4-0 when they post 11 or more hits.
Rye pushed their record up to 6-6 with the win, which was their fifth straight at home. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 14.0 runs over those games. As for Crowley County, their defeat dropped their record down to 6-4.
Crowley County got the 'W' in their previous matchup back in May of 2025 against Rye by a conclusive 11-1 score. Do the Chargers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Thunderbolts turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
