Waconia and Orono are an even 5-5 against one another since May of 2017, but likely not for long. The Wildcats will head out on the road to challenge the Spartans at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Waconia is coming into the matchup hot, having won their last four games.
While Waconia's victory against Jefferson wasn't quite the blowout it was the last time the pair played, they still came out on top. The Wildcats skirted past the Jaguars 12-10. While the Wildcats didn't have the best season last year (they finished 5-13), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.
Gage Hoffer looked comfortable as he tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one hit in four consecutive appearances.
Culley Ohm
| 05/07/26 @ Jefferson | 4 |
| 04/21/26 vs Benilde-St. Margaret's | 3 |
| 04/30/26 @ Chaska | 2 |
| 04/29/26 vs Rogers | 2 |
| 04/25/26 vs Maple Grove | 2 |
At the plate, Culley Ohm was incredible, going a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run, five RBI, and three runs. Those four hits gave him a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Cooper Stejskal, who went 1-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Waconia was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .400. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Jefferson only posted a batting average of .267.
Meanwhile, Orono faced Chaska in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Thursday. The Spartans fell just short of the Hawks by a score of 6-4. The Spartans' loss signaled the end of their seven-game winning streak.
Rory Kvern made the most of his time in the batter's box despite the final result and went 3-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI. Keegan Flansburg also deserves some recognition as he hit his first double of the season.
Orono's defeat dropped their record down to 10-2. As for Waconia, their record is now 8-4.
Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Friday. Waconia hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 0.7 home runs per game. However, it's not like Orono struggles in that department as they've been averaging 0.4 home runs. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.
Waconia couldn't quite get it done against Orono in their previous matchup back in April as they fell 8-5. Can the Wildcats avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
