NEW CARLISLE - The New Carlisle Newts (7-8) conclude an extended homestand this Sunday against the crosstown Bourissa Hills Wildcards (9-6) at Migley Field. The Newts have struggled at the Friendly Confines, going 4-5 in their three home series thus far.
This interleague showdown was once one of the nation's best wiffleball rivalries, but has cooled in recent years. The Bourissa Hills franchise was originally known as the Pterodactyls, owned by ORWBL co-founder (and current Newt) Jared Emmons. The pillars of their respective leagues, the Newts and 'Dactyls faced each other more than any other two ORWBL teams. Most notably, Bourissa Hills swept New Carlisle in the 2009 ORWBL World Series.
Emmons turned the team over to new ownership in 2012, and the franchise changed hands two more times before Zach Rehlander, now in his ninth season, took the reigns. The Newts went 36-25 against the Pterodactyls through 2016 before a three-year hiatus in the series. Since Bourissa Hills has rebranded as the Wildcards, they hold a 5-1 head-to-head advantage against the Newts.
Both teams are coming off disappointing weekends. The Wildcards were swept at The Palace by South Bend, while the Newts dropped two of three to the last-place Hudson Lake Heat.
Scott Soos is a game-time decision for New Carlisle. However, Noah Shail is expected to be back in the Newts lineup for the second week in a row to face his former team. Shail was acquired by New Carlisle in a midseason trade back in 2014.
With Aidan Cotter unavailable, Garrett Curless is expected to take the mound in the series opener. Matt Soos and Koby Keck will likely be available in the bullpen for the rest of the series.
LAST WEEK:
New Carlisle lost two of three to Hudson Lake, 15-12, 7-2, 1-6
Bourissa Hills was swept by South Bend, 17-13, 27-11, 18-17
SERIES HISTORY
Newts lead all-time, 37-30
Record at Migley Field: 18-18
Longest Streak: 21 wins (6/24/12 - 7/29/15)
Largest Margin of Victory: 28 (7/6/14)
First Meeting: June 2007 at Migley Field (Pterodactyls win)
Most Recent Meeting: June 13, 2021 at The Palace of Bourissa Hills (Newts win, 9-1)
Runs Scored: 718
Runs Allowed: 610
TEAM LEADERS
New Carlisle:
AVG - Scott Soos (.492)
HR - Garrett Curless (26)
RBI - Garrett Curless (33)
Bourissa Hills:
AVG - D.J. Hill (.526)
HR - D.J. Hill (14)
RBI - Zach Rehlander (32)
PROJECTED NEWTS LINEUP
Garrett Curless (SP)
Noah Shail (LF)
Matt Soos (CF)
Koby Keck (RF)
Sean Touhey (C)