The Pottsville Apaches will head out on the road to square off against the Dardanelle Sand Lizards at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Pottsville is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.2 runs per game this season.
Pottsville will roll into the game after a wild two-game stretch: they didn't score any runs on Monday, then bounced right back against Waldron on Tuesday. The Apaches blew past the Bulldogs 17-7. The result was nothing new for the Apaches, who have now won five matchups by six runs or more so far this season.
Brody Blasingame looked comfortable as he pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. He has been consistent : he hasn't given up more than two hits in five consecutive appearances.
Eli Morris
| 04/08/25 vs Waldron | 4 |
| 03/28/25 vs Lamar | 3 |
| 03/20/25 vs Dover | 2 |
| 03/06/25 @ Ouachita | 2 |
| 03/31/25 @ Scranton | 1 |
On the hitting side, Eli Morris was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing four bases while getting on base in all five of his plate appearances. Those four stolen bases gave him a new career-high. Brady Morrison also deserves some recognition as he snagged his first stolen base of the season.
Pottsville was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .414. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Dardanelle beat Lamar 5-1 on Thursday. That's two games straight that the Sand Lizards have won by exactly four runs.
Chase Weatherford spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered a run (which was unearned) on two hits and racked up seven Ks. He also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Dardanelle is 4-2 when he allows at most one earned run, but 5-7 otherwise.
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Cam Evans, who scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-3. Rush Rector was another key player, going 1-for-3 with two RBI and one double.
Pottsville has been performing well recently as they've won four of their last five contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 11-5 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.4 runs over those games. As for Dardanelle, the victory made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 9-9.
Pottsville skirted past Dardanelle 2-1 in their previous matchup back in March. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Apaches since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
