Fremont, NE - As the race for the second championship spot in the Independence League stays hot, the Moo host the Bison for a three-game set beginning on Monday. It’s the final regular season home series of the year for Fremont, who have won 20 of 30 games played at Historic Moller Field this year.

The Moo (27-18, 14-7 second half) currently sit in third place in the second-half standings, four games back of Casper and .5 games back of the Sasquatch. The Zap and Sodbusters are both 3.5 games back of the Moo.

However, should Casper win the second half, the second championship spot with go to the second best overall record. The Moo also sit third in those standings, one game behind the Sasquatch and one game ahead of the Sodbusters.

The Bison (2-14, 2-14) meanwhile are not postseason-eligible but are playing some of their best ball of the season. They are coming off a two-game split with the Sodbusters over the weekend. The Bison bats were hot on Saturday, combining for 13 hits in a 10-8 victory over Hastings. A sweep almost occurred, but the Sodbusters walked off the Bison off an error in the bottom of the tenth Sunday for a 10-9 win.

Dayton Francis has been leading the way for the Bison, hitting a monster .375 through 48 at-bats. Nick Golden (.325) and Isaiah Brandt (.312) follow close behind. Both Francis and Josh Meyers have two home runs on the year, while Aidan Hall has added one. Francis sweeps almost all offensive categories, also leading in RBIs with 15.

On the mound, Jackson Takahashi (1-3, 6.462 ERA) and Talan Field (1-0, 7.875) have the lone wins for the Bison. The team has yet to record a save.

The Moo are also coming off a split, going 1-1 against the Prospects. On Friday, Fremont dropped a third-straight game in a rain-shortened eight-inning game. But the Moo got back in the win column on Saturday, as an Issac Bonner walk-off single capped off a four-run ninth in an 11-10 win.

Carter Sintek has continued his hot start to the season, hitting .357 through 28 at-bats. Cooper Fuchino (.336), Collin Pitts  (.320) and Bridger Coleman (.316) are the other Moo hitters above .300. Cooper Fuchino holds the home run lead with four followed by three from Coleman and two from Stephen Espionza. Dylan Brandenburg, Pitts, Hunter Snyder, Dean Reynolds, Carson Burnett and Tyrus Petsche all have one. The RBI leaderboard is similar with Fuchino’s 25 leading the team, followed by 23 from Coleman and Espinoza each.

In terms of pitching, Reese Kortum (3-2, 4.333), Alex Oliver (3-1, 3.429), Bobby Simmons (3-0, 6.568) and Robert O’Malley (2.512) all have three wins. Oliver also is the saves leader with four.

First pitch for all three games at Moller Field on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday is set for 7:05 p.m.