Piqua is 0-5 against Kenton Ridge since April of 2019 but things could change on Tuesday. The Indians will square off against the Cougars at 12:00 p.m.
Piqua's last matchup with Shawnee could've gone either way, but unfortunately the same can't be said for the pair's game on Monday. Piqua came up short against Shawnee, falling 14-7. Piqua's loss continues a trend for the team, making it five in a row.
Hunter Steinke
| 05/12/25 @ Shawnee | 3 |
| 04/22/25 vs Anna | 3 |
| 04/15/25 vs Miamisburg | 2 |
| 05/07/25 @ Troy | 1 |
| 04/30/25 @ Fairborn | 1 |
| + 8 more games |
Hunter Steinke and Lukah Branam did some serious damage despite the final result: Steinke got on base in three of his four plate appearances with three runs and one stolen base, while Branam went 2-for-4 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run. Piqua is 2-1 when Steinke posts two or more runs, but 8-10 otherwise. Another player making a difference was Cohen Brown, who earned one run and two stolen bases.
Meanwhile, Kenton Ridge got the win against Bethel on Saturday by a conclusive 9-1. Considering the Cougars have won 12 contests by more than six runs this season, Saturday's blowout was nothing new.
Jakob Groeschel and Nic Stumpf were major factors no matter where they played. On the mound, Groeschel pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Stumpf pitched four innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. What's more, he posted two strikeouts, the most he's had since back in April. At bat, Groeschel went 1-for-5 with one run, one double, and one RBI, while Stumpf went 3-for-4 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base. That triple marked the first that Stumpf has hit this season.
In other pitching news, Mason Amato looked comfortable as he pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances.
Back at the plate, Kenton Ridge let Jake Beard and Zach Deel run wild. Beard got on base in four of his five plate appearances with three runs, two doubles, and one stolen base, while Deel went 4-for-5 with two stolen bases, one run, and one double. What's more, Beard posted two hits, the most he's had since back in April. The team also got some help courtesy of Brennan Shaffer, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Kenton Ridge hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their strikeout total in three consecutive matchups.
Piqua now has a losing record of 10-11. As for Kenton Ridge, their record is now 16-3.
Piqua couldn't quite finish off Kenton Ridge in their previous meeting back in April of 2024 and fell 6-4. Can the Indians avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
