Lions
| 05/16/25 vs Trinity | 18 |
| 05/09/25 @ Modoc | 11 |
| 05/09/25 @ Modoc | 3 |
| 05/02/25 vs Fall River | 15 |
| 05/02/25 vs Fall River | 23 |
| + 18 more games |
The Etna Lions will challenge the Hamilton Braves at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Etna is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.6 runs per game this season.
Etna is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. Their pitcher stepped up to hand Trinity an 18-0 shutout. The Lions haven't had any issues with the Wolves recently, as the game was their seventh consecutive victory against them.
Kyle Fowle was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out seven over five innings pitched. Fowle was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with one home run, four RBI, and one double.
In other batting news, Etna got a massive performance out of Emmitt Griggs, who went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, three runs, and three RBI. That's the most hits Griggs has posted since back in April of 2024. Clayton Harris was another key player, going 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, three runs, and two RBI.
Etna hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. The team has now struck out at least four batters in eight consecutive games.
Meanwhile, Hamilton won against Maxwell last Friday with seven runs and they decided to stick to that run total again on Friday. The Braves came out on top in a nail-biter against Weed, sneaking past 7-5. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Braves have posted since March 25th.
Like Etna, Hamilton also got a great game from a two-way player: Daniel Leal. He struck out six batters over 3.2 innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits (and only one walk). Leal was also solid in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double.
In other batting news, Kayden Strong was excellent, going 1-for-3 with two stolen bases, two RBI, and one run. Another player making a difference was Chase Rodgers, who went 1-for-3 with two RBI and one double.
Etna pushed their record up to 16-7 with the victory, which was their 16th straight at home dating back to last season. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 13.6 runs over those games. As for Hamilton, the victory made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 18-9.
Tuesday's match might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Etna has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .484. However, it's not like Hamilton struggles in that department as they've averaged .461. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Etna might still be hurting after the 15-7 defeat they got from Hamilton when the teams last played back in March. Can the Lions avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
