The Centralia Orphans will head out to square off against the Marion Wildcats at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Centralia's pitching crew has only allowed 3.9 runs per game this season, so Marion's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Centralia had to skate by with only a two-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 15-run drubbing they dealt Odin/Patoka/Sandoval on Monday. The Orphans blew past the Eagles 15-0. The Orphans might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won six matches by eight runs or more this season.
Xavier Koch
| 04/28/25 vs Odin/Patoka/Sandoval | 5 |
| 04/21/25 @ Belleville East | 1 |
| 04/11/25 @ Belleville West | 2 |
| 03/28/25 vs Salem | 3 |
| 03/24/25 @ Mascoutah | 0 |
| 03/17/25 vs DuQuoin | 5 |
Xavier Koch was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits over four innings pitched. What's more, he posted five strikeouts, the most he's had since back in March. He was also big at the plate, going a perfect 2-for-2 with three runs and one double. Centralia is undefeated when Koch posts two or more runs, but 6-8 otherwise.
In other batting news, Drake Fahringer was incredible, getting on base in all three of his plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. He has become a key player for Centralia: the team is undefeated when he posts at least two runs, but 7-8 otherwise. Another player making a difference was Austin Arthur, who went a perfect 1-for-1 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Centralia always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .621. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Odin/Patoka/Sandoval only posted an OBP of .077.
Meanwhile, Marion came up short against Harrisburg on Wednesday and fell 8-3. The defeat continues a trend for the Wildcats in their meetings with the Bulldogs: they've now lost seven in a row.
Centralia is on a roll lately: they've won six of their last eight games. That's provided a nice bump to their 11-8 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.5 runs on average over those games. As for Marion, their loss dropped their record down to 14-6.
Centralia couldn't quite get it done against Marion when the teams last played back in May of 2024 as they fell 5-2. Can the Orphans avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
