Grafton is 2-8 against Lincoln since April of 2016 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Saturday. The Bearcats will be playing in front of their home fans against the Cougars at 11:00 a.m. Both teams are coming into the game red-hot, with Grafton sitting on three straight victories and Lincoln on five.
On Friday, Grafton made easy work of Notre Dame and carried off a 13-2 win. That looming 13-2 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Bearcats yet this season.
Jacob Moats was a major factor no matter where he played. He tossed three innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off two hits. What's more, he posted three strikeouts, the most he's had since back in March. He was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI.
Ethan Penland
| 05/02/25 vs Notre Dame | 2 |
| 04/17/25 @ Bridgeport | 1 |
| 04/12/25 vs Parkersburg | 0 |
| 03/29/25 vs Fairmont Senior | 1 |
| 03/24/25 vs Tucker County | 2 |
In other pitching news, Ethan Penland looked comfortable as he pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, he posted two strikeouts, the most he's had since back in March.
Back at the plate, Carter Gillespie was a standout: he went a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one triple. Grafton is 9-2 when Gillespie posts two or more runs, but 6-11 otherwise. The team also got some help courtesy of Noah Fletcher, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBI, two runs, and one double.
Grafton kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. They are a perfect 8-0 when they post 11 or more hits.
Lincoln came out on top against Buckhannon-Upshur on Friday thanks in part to the team's impressive six-run seventh inning. The Cougars took their match against the Buccaneers 8-4.
Grafton's victory bumped their record up to 15-13. As for Lincoln, their win bumped their record up to 15-10.
Everything went Grafton's way against Lincoln in their previous matchup back in March, as Grafton made off with an 11-1 victory. Will the Bearcats repeat their success, or do the Cougars have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
