Moo look to continue strong start to second-half with two-game home set against Prospects

Alex Burstein

Cooper Fuchino has led the Fremont offense, hitting .312 with a home run. (File photo/Mindy Wittig)

Fremont, Nebraska - The Moo take a perfect 3-0 second-half record into a two-game series with the Nebraska Prospects starting Thursday, as the Moo continue a 16-game homestand at Historic Moller Field. This will be the first game of the second-half for the Prospects.


It’s been a quiet start to the second-half of the Indepence League, with just two series thus far. The Moo (3-0) and Zap (2-0) are both undefeated, with the Plainsmen (0-2) and Sodbusters (0-3) at the bottom.


The Nebraska Prospects, a traveling team not eligible for the postseason, had a rough first-half of the season going 5-10. In six total series, the Sodbusters didn’t take any series wins, with two two-game splits.


Most recently, the Prospects dropped two of three to the Sodbusters this past weekend. A Saturday doubleheader got off to a good start as Drew Borner had four RBIs on two hits for an 8-6 win. In game tw o n Saturday, Cameron Pickens had ten strikeouts in 5 ⅓ innings, but it wasn’t enough as the Sodbusters won 4-2. In the rubber match Sunday, Hastings came back down four to take the series 6-5.


The Prospects have had some monster hitting this year, led by Blake Stenger (.455 AVG) and Grant Ryan (.412). But power has been a problem. The team has no triples and only one homer by Borner. Borner also has the team lead in RBIs at 13.


On the mound, Carson Obrecht (3.419 ERA), J’Shawn Unger (.000), Kyler Hanson (2.625) and Colton Homolka (4.725) all have a win. Hanson owns the lone save on the season for the Prospects.


As the Prospects try to start off the second-half strong, the Moo already have done so, sweeping the Sodbusters in a three game set earlier this week. In game one, Robert O’Malley went six scoreless innings on the mound as the Moo took a 3-0 win in a shortened-seven inning game to to heat. Tuesday’s contest was suspended in the fifth due to rain and resumed Wednesday, where a two-run homer by Hunter Snyder propelled the Moo to a 3-2 win. In game three later that night, the Moo won a high scoring game 8-5.


Cooper Fuchino has led the offense for Fremont, hitting .316 through 76 at-bats. He has one homerun on the year, alongside Bridger Coleman, Stephen Espinoza, Tyrus Petsche and Hunter Snyder. Espinoza has the RBI lead with 12, while Coleman and Dylan Brandenburg are right behind at 11.


On the mound, Robert O’Malley has been dominant for Fremont with a 3-0 record in three starts and a .412 ERA. Alex Oliver has been the top reliever, with four saves and .618 ERA.


The Moo lead the season series 2-1 against the Prospects. In the one series the teams have played, a complete game performance from Kadyn Van HIll propelled the Moo to a 7-2 game one victory and then Fremont took a low-scoring game two 2-1 for a fifth straight win. But game three broke that streak as Fremont fell 5-3.


Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. both Thursday and Friday.

June 30, 2025
The Moo can’t overcome a seven-run Spud attack in the sixth and fall 12-2 in Casper. The rubber match of the series took place on a sunny day in Casper. The Moo looked to carry over their success from their nineteen-run performance the night before and start the second half 2-0. The first two innings would be quiet on both sides. The Spuds and Moo would threaten but were unable to break the deadlock until the third. Fremont would strike first in the third. Walks to Caiden Brezinski (Butler), Michael Baker (Cal State-Chico), and a single from Cooper Fuchino (Creighton) would load the bases for Seve Aguirre (Southeastern Oklahoma State). Aguirre would drop a single into right to bring home two runners to make it 2-0 Moo after the third. The Spuds would strike with an RBI double from Cael McCarville in the fourth to cut the Moo lead in half. Dickinson would strand McCarville on second to keep the Moo in front 2-1. An inning later, the Spuds would strike for another as Preston Gajewski (NOC-Tonkawa) would make an incredible diving back-handed pick at second to get an out, but Matt Marsic would scramble home to tie it at two. Luca Dickinson (Skyline) would work through five, giving up two earned runs on four hits while walking three and striking out two. Grant Rychnovsky (Northwestern-IA) would come in relief and have an unfortunate time in the sixth. Seven runs, one earned, on five hits would blow this one open. His defense would not provide much help, committing two errors. The scoreboard read 9-2 Spuds at the end of the sixth inning. The Moo would go scoreless in the seventh, and Cooper Lucas (East Texas Baptist) would relieve Rychnovsky. Lucas would struggle with command on the mound, and the two runs that would score to end it would be charged against him. The Spuds would take the 12-2 win in seven because of the ILB run rule and win the series. The final line saw the Moo score two (2) runs on six (6) hits and commit two (2) errors. The Spuds scored twelve (12) runs on nine (9) hits and had one (1) error defensively. Mathew Ramos picks up the win for the Spuds while Grant Rychnovsky gets handed the loss. Fremont moves to an 11-14 record overall and a 1-1 second-half record. The Spuds move to a 17-10 overall record and a 1-1 second-half record. The Moo are back tomorrow afternoon at Duncan Field to take on the Hastings Sodbusters at 6:35.
June 29, 2025
This is the Daily Moo! Getting Moo fans ready for every single game day with storylines, insight, stats, and more about the Fremont Moo. Check in every day for the Daily Moo here on the Fremont Moo official website. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overview - Game 25 Mike Lansing Field, Casper, WY, USA FREMONT MOO (11-13 / 1-0) vs. CASPER SPUDS (16-10 / 0-1) First Pitch: 4:00 CT Audio Stream: Moo Mixlr Video Stream: Casper Spuds on YouTube -Game Notes --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STORYLINES Second Half Smackdown The Moo’s second-half opener couldn’t have gone better, as they scored nineteen runs (eleven in one inning) to take the second game in Casper, 19-5 Cycle-chino Cooper Fuchino (Creighton) had a historic day at the plate, going 5-6 with 5 RBI’s. Fuchino hit a home run in the 1st, a single in the 3rd, a double in the 4th, and a triple in the 9th to collect the cycle. Super Spuds Michael Baker (Cal State-Chico) has reached base safely in his last 10 games. The streak began on June 7th, and since then, Baker’s OBP sits at .609, the second best on the ballclub. Start of the Second Half The Spearfish Sasquatch punched their ticket to the 2025 ILB Championship Series by clinching the first half pennant. Today begins the second half. This means that the records effectively return to 0-0. The winner of the second half will face the Sasquatch in the ILBCS. If the Sasquatch win the second half, then the team with the second-best overall record will clinch the second championship series spot. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLAYERS OF NOTE: MOO: #35 - RHP LUCA DICKINSON Dickinson (Skyline) was phenomenal in his last outing. Against the Prospects, Dickinson fired 9 shutout innings and struck out 11 batters. On top of that, he managed it in under 100 pitches #26 - C COOPER FUCHINO (B/T: R/R) Fuchino has been the best batter by far during this road trip. In 11 games at home, Fuchino had 10 hits and 6 RBIs. In the last two games in Casper, he has 8 hits and 6 RBIs at the plate. SPUDS: #11 - RHP HOUSTON WEDGEWORTH Casper’s best arm this season has been Houston Wedgeworth. Wedgeworth has made 4 starts for the Spuds and has collected a quality start in two of them. His longest outing was his most recent, going 7.0 innings, striking out 3 Sodbusters and giving up 1 earned run. #24 - OF ELIJAH REEVES (B/T: R/R) Reeves had his best night at the plate yesterday, as he collected three hits and two RBI’s at the plate. On top of that, he plays an exceptional outfield.
June 29, 2025
The Moo capture their first win of the second half as they crush Casper Spuds 19-5. The Moo’s second half began along the banks of the North Platte River in Casper for a team that looked to turn around their fortunes from a fourth-place finish in the first half. Much like the night prior, the Moo jumped on the Spuds starter immediately. The third batter of the game, Cooper Fuchino (Creighton), would leave Mike Lansing Field to center for his first Moo home run of the season, a two-run home run to make it 2-0 Moo. The second would see Joshua Hardamon (Midland) lead off the inning with a double. Preston Gajewski (NOC-Tonkawa) would drive Hardamon in on a miss-fielded ball at first to make it 3-0. Gajewski would scramble for third on a failed pick-off attempt and would score on a Brady Brown (South Dakota State) fielder’s choice to make it 4-0, Moo. That’s all they would manage at the end of the top of two. The Spuds would respond much like the night before. The rain began to fall in bunches as the Spuds would flood the bases and put across two runs to make it 4-2 at the end of the second. One on a fielder’s choice and another on a stolen base on a throw down to second. The wind and the rain would cause a break in the action as a rain delay would endure for a little under an hour. The field was dried as best it could, and play resumed in the third. The Moo picked up where they left off. Fuchino reached on an infield hit and stole second. Henry Hayman (Akron) would reach on an error, and amid the chaos of the play, Fuchino would come around to score. The Spuds would go silent in the bottom of the third as the scoreboard read 5-2 Moo. Cooper Fuchino was put on cycle watch as in the fourth, he would double home Preston Gajewski to make it 6-2 Moo. In the bottom half of the inning, Elijah Reeves would single down the left field line to bring home a run to cut the Moo lead in half at 6-3 at the end of the fourth inning. The fifth would see the two batters reach on a walk and a hit. The lead runner, Brody Barker, would make it to third and score the lone run of the frame on a passed ball that clipped the umpire, making 6-4. The sixth inning would see the Moo load the bases on a pair of hit batsmen and a walk. Brinden Floyd (RCSJ) would strike out, and Fuchino would pop out in foul grounds. Michael Baker (Cal State-Chico) would leave his mark with a grounder that would sneak through the legs of the shortstop Jack Opione to bring home two runs. The Moo would take an 8-4 lead at the end of the inning. Wesley Cunningham (Howard) would go deep into this one. Six and two-thirds of the seven for the Hotstepper in his first start of the season, giving up four runs on six hits and four walks while registering four strikeouts. An incredible outing in his longest outing of the season. The Spuds would close in on the Moo's lead in the 8th. River Smith would lead off the inning with a walk and score on a fielder’s choice to cut the deficit to three, 8-5 Moo after eight. The top of the ninth would see the Moo push across ELEVEN more runs, highlighted by Joshua Hardamon's grand slam and Cooper Fuchino collecting a triple to secure his cycle. It gave the Moo a fourteen-run lead with three outs to get in the game. The Spuds would go quietly in the ninth, as the Moo secure the 19-5 win. Nineteen runs for the Moo tie the season record for most runs scored in a game. Cooper Fuchino sets the club mark with four extra bae hits and twelve total bases. The final line saw the Moo score nineteen (19) runs on twelve (12) hits and commit two (2) errors. The Spuds scored five (5) runs on eight (8) hits and had eight (8) errors defensively. Wes Cunningham picks up the win while Lawson Moreno gets handed the loss. The Moo drops to an 11-13 record overall and a 1-0 second-half record. The Spuds move to a 16-10 overall record and a 0-1 second-half record. The Moo are back tomorrow afternoon at Mike Lansing Field with first pitch at 4:00 CST/3:00 MST.
June 28, 2025
Second Half begin in second game in Casper
June 28, 2025
The Bovine Nine jumped out to a three-run lead in the first inning, but fell to the Spuds 8-5 in the first half finale. It was a warm Wyoming night in Casper as the Moo looked to end the first half on a high. Both teams entered the contest with 7-3 records in their last 10 games. Something had to give on Friday night. Tyler Vollmar took the mound in the first and was ambushed by the Moo’s attack at the plate. All nine batted in the inning. The Moo had five consecutive hits with Cooper Fuchino (Creighton), Michael Baker (Cal State-Chico), Caiden Brezinski (Butler), Nate Wachter (South Dakota State), and Tyler Wise (Kansas Wesleyan) registering a hit, and Jake Mitchell, Fuchino, and Baker would all score. The scoreboard read 3-0 Moo after the first. The Spuds would retaliate with two runs in the second thanks to a Cannon Billingsley single to put the Spuds on the board. Moo starter Zach Vincent (Midland) would hunker down and get the final out, stranding a runner in scoring position. The Spuds cut into the Moo lead, 3-2 at the end of the second. Fremont would get back on the board in the fifth as Michael Baker would go opposite field with a two-run home run. Baker’s second blast of the season would make it 5-2 Moo. A run would score for the Spuds in the bottom of the fifth to draw closer. The sixth would see the Spuds tie it thanks to a Cael McCarville sacrifice fly and a Cannon Billingsley single, as it would draw the ballgame even at five runs apiece. The bottom of the seventh would see the Spuds strike early off of reliever-coach Tyler Dunham. Kody Clausius would leave Mike Lansing Field with a laser over the right-field wall to put the Spuds up two. Another run would score to make it 8-5 Spuds at the end of the seventh. The Moo would go scoreless in the seventh, eighth, and ninth as the Spuds win 8-5. The final line saw the Moo score five (5) runs on nine (9) hits and commit no errors. The Spuds scored eight (8) runs on thirteen (13) hits and had one (1) error. Kylan Deporter picks up the win while Tyler Dunham gets handed the loss. The Moo drops to a 10-13 record. The Spuds move to a 16-9 record. The Moo are back tomorrow night at Mike Lansing Field with first pitch at 7:30 CST/6:30 MST.
June 27, 2025
This is the Daily Moo! Getting Moo fans ready for every single game day with storylines, insight, stats, and more about the Fremont Moo. Check in every day for the Daily Moo here on the Fremont Moo official website. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overview - Game 23 Mike Lansing Field, Casper, WY, USA FREMONT MOO (10-12) vs. CASPER SPUDS (15-9) First Pitch: 7:30 CT Radio: Big Dog Country 98.9 FM / 1340 AM Audio Stream: Moo Mixlr Video Stream: Casper Spuds on YouTube -Game Notes --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STORYLINES On the Road Again After twenty-four days in Fremont, the Moo will make their longest road trip of the season to Casper to face the Spuds. Home Success The Moo went 7-7 during the home stand, but ended the historic nine-game losing streak, and racked off seven straight wins. Fried or Mashed? The Casper Spuds enter on their longest win streak of the season. They’ve won their last three contests and begin a three-game series with the Moo Wrapping up the First Half The first half of the ILB season ends tonight as the Spearfish Sasquatch captured the first half pennant and will play for an ILB title in August. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLAYERS OF NOTE: MOO: #3 - INF SEVE AGUIRRE (B/T: R/R) Aguirre (Southeastern Oklahoma State) is currently on a six-game hit streak. It is currently the longest hit streak among Moo batters this season. #18 - OF TANNER JACOBSEN (B/T: R/R) Jacobsen (Cloud County) is currently on a four-game hit streak. All five hits during the streak have been singles, but it has led to Jacobsen scoring five runs in that span. He has raised his BA from .111 to .222. SPUDS: #19 - IF HUNTER BILLINGSLEY (B/T: L/R) Billingsley has been the best batter for the Spuds this season. In 20 games played, Billingsley has a team-best .366 AVG and an OPS of 1.016. He also leads the team with 2 HRs and 8 RBIs #11 - RHP HOUSTON WEDGEWORTH Casper’s best arm this season has been Houston Wedgeworth. Wedgeworth has made 4 starts for the Spuds and has collected a quality start in two of them. His longest outing was his most recent, going 7.0 innings, striking out 3 Sodbusters and giving up 1 earned run.
June 24, 2025
Tonight's game between the Fremont Moo and the Nebraska Prospects has been postponed because of rain. A make-up date will be announced as soon as possible.
June 23, 2025
Tonight's game between the Fremont Moo and the Nebraska Prospects has been postponed because of rain. A make-up date will be announced as soon as possible.
June 23, 2025
This is the Daily Moo! Getting Moo fans ready for every single game day with storylines, insight, stats, and more about the Fremont Moo. Check in every day for the Daily Moo here on the Fremont Moo official website. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overview - Game 23 Moller Field, Fremont, NE, USA FREMONT MOO (10-12) vs. NEBRASKA PROSPECTS (3-7) First Pitch: 7:05 Gates Open: 6:15 Promotion: Make A Difference Monday Radio: Big Dog Country 98.9 FM / 1340 AM Audio Stream: Moo Mixlr Video Stream: BSDN Live on Youtube -Game Notes --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STORYLINES Streak Ends The Moo dropped their 12th game of the season yesterday to the Prospects, 7-1. The loss ends the Moo’s seven game win streak. J-Money Tanner Jacobsen (Cloud County) led the way offensively for the Moo, cracking a pair of hits and scoring the lone run. Jacobsen is currently on a four game hits streak, having five hits in the span. Sing A Song(ster) Broc Songster (Doane) pitched his third quality start of the season yesterday in the loss against the Prospects. Songster has gone six or more innings in all but one outing this season. Familiar Faces The Prospects will face the Moo fifteen (15) times throughout the season, nine (9) times during the homestand. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLAYERS OF NOTE: MOO: #9 - RHP WES CUNNINGHAM Cunningham (Howard) is making his first start this summer for the Moo. Cunningham has been an exciting arm out of the bullpen. In 8.2 innings this season, Cunningham hasn’t given up a single earned run over three appearances. He has struck out 12 batters and has only allowed 6 players to reach base. #18 - OF TANNER JACOBSEN (B/T: R/R) Jacobsen (Cloud County) is currently on a four-game hit streak. All five hits during the streak have been singles, but it has led to Jacobsen scoring five runs in that span. He has raised his BA from .111 to .222. PROSPECTS: #15 - OF JACOB PERRIN (B/T: R/R) Perrin has 10 hits in 35 at-bats this season. He has the third highest BA on the Prospects at .286. He also leads the team with 6 RBIs this season. #23 - UTL CODY CIZEK (B/T: R/R) Cizek went 2-3 with 3 RBIs in the win over the Moo yesterday. Cizek crushed his first home run of the season with a three run blast over the Moller Monster in the 9th.
June 23, 2025
The Fremont Moo fell to the traveling Prospects in the Sunday afternoon contest by a score of 7-1 The Moo’s win streak was at seven straight, and they came into another scorching hot afternoon at Moller Field looking for another win Doane’s Broc Songster took the mound for the Moo and provided another stellar outing, going six innings, allowing one unearned run on four hits while striking out three Prospects. Jaxson Cahoy would match Songster on the mound, throwing six clean innings and striking out six batters. The first run would come for the Prospects in the third. An unearned run would cross the plate on a sac fly to make it 1-0 Prospects. The game would stay 1-0 until the seventh inning, when both teams would put runs on the board. The Prospects would make it 2-0 with another sac fly, and the Moo would answer with an RBI groundout from Jake Mitchell, scoring Tanner Jacobsen (Cloud County) to make it 2-1, Prospects still in front by a run. The score would hold until the top of the ninth when the Prospects scored five runs to make it 7-1, effectively putting the game away and ending the Moo’s seven-game win streak. The final line saw the Moo score one (1) run on six (6) hits and commit five (5) errors. The Prospects scored seven (7) runs on nine (9) hits and had no errors. The Moo drops to a 10-12 record. The Prospects pick up their record at 3-7. Broc Songster (Doane) gets handed the loss while Jaxson Cahoy gets the win The Moo are back at Moller Field on Monday, June 23rd, as they go for win number eleven on the season.
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