OAKLAND CITY (IN) 22-7 VS INDIANA- KOKOMO 18-11
The NAIA Ball Big Series Of The Week heads to the state of Indiana for a pivotal River States Conference matchup between the Mighty Oaks of Oakland City and the Cougars of IU-Kokomo. Oakland City comes into the matchup with a 23-8 overall record while IU-Kokomo enters with an 18-11 overall record as both teams have played their best baseball of 2024 as of late with both Oakland City and IU-Kokomo coming off of RSC series sweeps this past weekend. The winner of this series will put themselves potentially in the driver’s seat in conference play as they both hold conference records of 7-2 and are each one game out of first place.
History
IU-Kokomo currently leads the series with an 8-0 record all-time, with the last matchup coming last March that saw the Cougars take a 10-3 victory. Oakland City will be looking for the program’s first victory over IU-Kokomo this weekend and take a firm lead in conference play as both teams have their sights set on a potential rematch in the conference tournament.
Schedule
All times local
Friday, March 22nd 2pm
Saturday, March 23rd 11am and 1pm
The Teams
Oakland City enters this matchup with a 23-8 overall record and are led by one of the best 1-2 punches in the country on the mound. With a team ERA of 2.64 that is good for second in the NAIA, the Mighty Oaks are led by their ace Gehrig Tenhumberg who enters with a 4-1 record and a 0.84 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 32 innings of work. Tenhumberg has been one of the best pitchers in the nation and will look to continue his hot start against a very talented Cougar lineup. Thomas King is the second part of that lethal pitching duo, as he enters the weekend with a 2-0 record and a 0.60 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 30 innings this season. The two arms have been the key to the incredible start and will look to lead their team again this weekend. On offense, both Noah Baugher and Xander Willis lead the way with a .324 average and a .337 average, with Baugher only having struck out just six times in 105 at bats this season. The duo has also combined for 17 extra base hits and will look to help the Mighty Oaks again with their bats this weekend.
IU-Kokomo comes in having won nine of their last ten games and an overall record of 18-11. It will be a contrast of styles this weekend in this matchup, as the Cougars have a potent offense led by Tucker Platt who leads the team with 28 RBI and 23 extra base hits so far in 2024. Platt also has 5 home runs and a .380 average in his 100 at-bats and looks to continue his hot start against the vaunted pitching staff of Oakland City. Kasey Ross sits right behind Platt with 18 RBI and has a .394 average in 66 at-bats and looks to provide some protection in the Cougar lineup. Justin Bultemeier leads the pitching staff with 39.1 innings pitched and has struck out 30 so far this season. Victor Fujiu has been an absolute weapon out of the bullpen and has been a big reason to the recent success of this squad, having not given up a run so far in 12 innings this year with 16 strikeouts. If IU-Kokomo has a lead late, look for Fujiu to enter the game and try to continue to add onto those stellar numbers.
Staff Picks
Connor- Oakland City
Taylor- Oakland City
Tyler- IU-Kokomo
Robby- Oakland City
