The Preston Indians will head out to challenge the Sugar-Salem Diggers at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.
Preston took a ten-run loss the last time they faced off against Snake River, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Indians had just enough and edged out the Panthers 10-9 on Tuesday.
Saager Keller was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off one hit. Keller was also big at the plate, scoring two runs while going 3-for-4.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Treston Day, who scored a run and stole a base while going 3-for-4. That stolen base was his first of the season. Another player making a difference was Levi Despain, who went 1-for-4 with one triple, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Preston 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.
Meanwhile, Sugar-Salem waltzed into their matchup on Thursday with six straight wins... but they left with seven. They never let the Timberwolves get on the board and left with a 12-0 win. The result was nothing new for the Diggers, who have now won seven contests by nine runs or more so far this season.
Dawson McInelly was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-2. Sugar-Salem is 8-1 when McInelly posts two or more runs, but 2-3 otherwise. The team also got some help courtesy of Ben Aldrich, who went 2-for-3 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs.
Sugar-Salem's victory was their fifth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 10-4. The home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.4 runs on average over those games. As for Preston, they now have a winning record of 4-3.
Saturday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Preston has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .470. However, it's not like Sugar-Salem struggles in that department as they've averaged .484. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Preston couldn't quite finish off Sugar-Salem in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 and fell 5-3. Can the Indians avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
