Howard County: May 16 Baseball Predictions
Howard County boasts an impressive lineup of baseball talent. But as the regular season winds down, chances to cheer on these athletes are becoming limited. Your support means a lot as they push for conference championships — and maybe even a state title.
Let’s take a look at this week’s key matchups and offer a few predictions.
Anderson 10-10 vs Kokomo 12-7
Kokomo continues its impressive turnaround after a slow start to the season, climbing to the top of the North Central Conference (NCC). A win over Anderson on Friday night could lock in a major milestone.
Anderson, currently third in the NCC, is in the midst of a late-season skid, dropping five of its last seven games. Still, the Indians have a chance to play spoiler and shake up the conference standings.
Kokomo holds a key advantage on the mound. The Wildkats' starting rotation has been dominant at Kokomo Municipal Stadium, where the team has lost just once all season — a trend they don’t expect to reverse against Anderson.
Winner: Kokomo
3A #7 Western 19-3 vs Twin Lakes 12-8
Friday night’s matchup between Western and Twin Lakes is no ordinary regular-season game — it’s for the 2025 Hoosier Conference baseball championship.
Western enters on a six-game winning streak and is one victory away from its 20th win of the season, underscoring the magnitude of the showdown.
Twin Lakes, meanwhile, is hitting its stride at the right time, winning four of its last five games. The Indians have allowed just two runs during that stretch, including back-to-back shutouts. However, that momentum may be tested against Western. The Panthers are one of the hottest teams in their class and are favored to claim the conference title by night’s end.
Winner: Western
2A #6 Eastern 18-5 vs Lewis Cass 9-9
Eastern has put together another strong season on the diamond. The Comets have won six of their last seven games and are closing in on a 20-win campaign. Friday’s matchup at Lewis Cass also serves as their final tune-up before the annual conference tournament, adding extra weight to the contest.
Lewis Cass, meanwhile, is trending in the opposite direction, dropping six of its last eight games. Still, there's no better time than now to reverse course. That won’t be easy against an Eastern team that’s solid in all phases of the game. The Comets, one of the top teams in Class 2A, are expected to leave Walton with a key road win.
Winner: Eastern
Bluffton 14-6 vs Taylor 0-17
Taylor’s struggles have continued into 2025, as the Titans remain winless. A season marked by lopsided losses has tested the team’s morale, but there’s hope the players can put together a stronger showing in their second meeting with Bluffton.
The first matchup between the two teams ended in a dominant 17-0 win for the Tigers, who broke the game open with a 10-run fourth inning, capitalizing on Taylor’s inexperience. While it’s hard to imagine the Titans finishing the season without a win, that breakthrough is unlikely to come Friday against a confident Bluffton squad.
Winner: Bluffton
Jay’s stats
Last week: 3-0
2025 high school baseball season: 14-3 (82.3)
