The St. Xavier Bombers (19-5, 5-4 in the Greater Catholic League) look to bounce back against the Lebanon Warriors (17-7, 13-5 in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference) after falling 8-5 against Fairfield yesterday after the defense allowed five errors. As for the Warriors they are coming off a close 3-2 loss to Northmont The Bombers look to get hot again as they approach the final two games of the regualr season before tournament play begins. 

The Bombers look to sophomore Griffin Doxsey and senior Max Brus to create opportunities as they've been red hot lately. Doxsey is coming off an extremely hot last four games hitting .500 with a home run, five RBIs, two runs, and three stolen bases. As for Brus he's been a problem both at the plate and the basepads pushig the limits for the Bombers as he's swiped four bases to go with a .400 batting average, five runs, four walks, and an RBI in the past four games. 

Taking the mound for the Bombers will be the junior dominant righty Liam McGeady. McGeady has been nothing but consistent for the Bombers pitching to a 4-1 record to go with a 2.234 ERA and 37 strikeouts. McGeady's last appearance was an excellent five innings of three hit, five punch out ball in a 6-0 shutout win vs. Harrison last Friday. He'll look to bring that momentum into the game at Lebanon off a long rested week where he looks to supply his team with quality innings in a momentum swinging week for the Bombers before tournament play. 

As for the Warriors they are led by a disciplined rotation and bullpen as the team holds the second best ERA in the ECC at 3.21 anchored by an efficient bullpen that holds the second most saves in the conference with six. Lebanon will look toward their pitching to keep them in this game as the offense ranks in the bottom half of the conference in hits (180), runs (142), and RBIs (129). However the team makes up for it being efficient at the plate ranking fourth in average (.300), OBP (.425), third in stolen bases (88), and fifth in doubles with 35. 

Leading the charge for the Warriors will be juniors Mason Hurst and Taylor Markham. Hurst ranks fifth in batting average (.424), sixth in OBP (.539), eighth in stolen bases (15), 19th in hits with 25, and driving in ranking seventh with 20 RBIs. Markham similar to Hurst is tied for 19th with 25 but is more of a threat on the pads swiping 20 bags, slapping three triples and sitting fourth in runs with 24.

As for the pitching the Warriors hold four players ranked inside the top in ERA with seniors Robbie Smith, Chris Yates, Tyler Sexton, and junior Brodty Farrington. Smith leads the group holding the second best ERA at 0.55 with 16 strikeouts, one save, and 2-0 record. Right behind him follows Sexton with a 2-1 record with 12 punch outs and 0.60 ERA.Jumping to number five falls Farrington owning a 0.70 ERA and the second best WHIP at 0.7 to go with a 1-0 record and 11 strikeouts. Rounding out the group comes Yates with a 1.36 ERA and nine strikeouts. The big name however is senior closer Cooper Scott with a 3-1 record, three saves, 16 strikeouts, and 1.97 ERA to go with a 1.41 WHIP. 

For the Bombers to bounce back they must take advantage of the Warriors starting pitchers who struggle early and play efficient baseball. The team has made several mistakes in the last few games owning eight errors in the last three games. The team must eliminate defensive miscues against a very aggressive on base team and force them to play from behind. The Bombers must not loose their heads as they close out the season as they have the opportunity to lose momentum against a hungry Lebanon team looking to beat a highly efficient Bomber offense. 

As for the Warriors, they must take advantage of every opportunity given to them they must push the tempo on the base pads and be patient at the plate as McGeady has given up 21 free passes on the season. If they can get McGeady out the game early Lebanon can take advantage of a minimally used Bomber bullpen that struggles with consistency. 

The Bombers are coming off an 8-5 loss to Fairfield and will likely look to strike early to establish momentum early. Lebanon's defense and starting pitching must throw strikes early and avoid letting the Bombers build a multi-run cushion in the opening frames.  Finally, Lebanon has proven to be incredibly resilient late in games this season, highlighted by their thrilling 11-10 victory over Turpin on May 8. If this game is tight heading into the 5th and 6th innings, the Warriors need to maintain that same calm, aggressive approach at the plate that has carried them through chaotic, high-scoring finishes.