The Black River Pirates will head out to square off against the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Black River is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.7 runs per game this season.
Black River will roll into the matchup after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up one run on Tuesday, then bounced right back against Clearview on Thursday. The Pirates put the hurt on the Clippers with a sharp 14-1 victory. The Pirates haven't had any issues with the Clippers recently, as the game was their seventh consecutive win against them.
Josh Stuart
| 04/17/25 @ Wellington | 3 |
| 05/01/25 @ Clearview | 2 |
| 04/28/25 @ Columbia | 2 |
| 04/15/25 vs Clearview | 2 |
| 04/09/25 @ Oberlin | 2 |
| + 1 more games |
Josh Stuart and Dozier Hendershot made a splash no matter where they played. Throwing, Stuart tossed four innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits. Meanwhile, Hendershot tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Stuart has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive appearances. At bat, Stuart went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, three RBI, and two runs, while Hendershot got on base in two of his four plate appearances with three stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. Black River is undefeated when Stuart posts two or more runs, but 3-5 otherwise.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Zane Kristophel, who got on base in all three of his plate appearances with two stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI. Those two RBI gave him a new career-high. Jake Maat also deserves some recognition as he got his first hits of the season.
Black River always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .583. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Olmsted Falls scored the most runs they've had this season on Tuesday, but it wasn't enough. They fell just short of Avon Lake by a score of 12-11. The home team had taken home the W every time these teams have met since May 5, 2023, but that streak is no more.
Tyler Hartig was cooking despite his team's loss, going a perfect 1-for-1 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. Andrew Norton was another key player, going 2-for-5 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Black River pushed their record up to 8-5 with the victory, which was their third straight on the road. Those road wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.3 runs over those games. As for Olmsted Falls, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-8.
Black River's speedy runners might be the difference in Friday's contest. The Pirates have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 5.8 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Olmsted Falls, though, as they've been averaging only 1.1 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Black River continue to outrun the ball? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
