The Neoga Indians will head out to take on the Dieterich Movin Maroons at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Neoga is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.2 runs per game this season.
Neoga took a loss when they played away from home on Friday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Wednesday. They walked away with a 4-1 victory over Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City. The Indians haven't had any issues with the Bobcats recently, as the game was their fifth consecutive win against them.
Malik Coy
| 04/23/25 vs Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City | 0 |
| 04/14/25 vs Altamont | 1 |
| 04/08/25 vs Charleston | 1 |
Malik Coy spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered a run (which was unearned) on three hits and racked up eight Ks. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one walk in three consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Colin Blazich, who went 2-for-3 with one home run and two RBI.
Meanwhile, Dieterich never let their opponents score on Thursday. They were the clear victors by a 15-0 margin over Ramsey. The contest marked the Movin Maroons' most dominant victory of the season.
Mason Lidy looked comfortable as he tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits.
At the plate, Bryce Bohnhoff was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBI, two runs, and one double. Those three hits gave him a new career-high. Tradan Kessler also deserves some recognition as he scored his first runs of the season.
Dieterich always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .545. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their OBP total in three consecutive games.
Neoga's record is now 12-5. As for Dieterich, their win ended a three-game drought on the road and puts them at 4-9.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Neoga has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.5 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Dieterich struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.5 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Neoga came out on top in a nail-biter against Dieterich in their previous matchup back in April of 2024, sneaking past 4-2. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Indians since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
