Fremont, Nebraska - After a seven-game road trip, the Moo return to Historic Moller Field Monday with a fresh slate, as the second-half of the Independence League schedule kicks off with a three-game set against the Sodbusters. It’s the start of a 16-game home stand for Fremont that stretches through June 14.

The Moo (13-11, 6.5 games back) closed out the first-half of the season in fourth place out of the five postseason-eligible teams. Caspe (19-4) took home the title to clinch a championship berth for the second straight year. Hastings (15-8, 4.0) and Spearfish (14-11, 6.0) also finished above Fremont, with Oahe (5-22, 16.0) at the bottom.

This series closes out a long stretch of games between Hastings and Fremont. By the end of Wednesday’s game, eight of Fremont’s last 10 games will be against Hastings.

The Sodbusters did get a break from the Moo this past weekend when they hosted the Nebraska Prospects for a three-game set. In a Saturday doubleheader, the Sodbusters lost game one 8-6 despite two hits from Josh Prinner, Drew Vega and Ryan Jarvis. In game two that night, Jude Sunquist had 10 strikeouts and gave up just two hits and two runs in five innings and Hastings took a 4-2 win. In the rubber match on Sunday, Hastings came back down four runs for a 6-5 win.

At the end of the first half, Sawyer Duddleston (.370 AVG), Vega (.361) and Tyler Welsh (.320) emerged as offensive leaders. No player has more than one homerun, but Secundino Morales, Prinner and Alexiel Delgado all have one homerun. Jackson Crain leads the RBI race with 10.

Jack Kruger has been the ace for Hastings, with a 3-0 record and a 1.44 ERA. Morales (5.87 ERA) and Braden Cork (1.714) both have found success out of the bullpen, with three saves a piece.

The Moo had the weekend off after five straight road games last week, concluding with a two-game sweep of Hastings. In game one Thirteen, Hastings walked thirteen and hit three Moo batters, as the Moo took a 6-4 win to break a six-game skid. Then, in the final game of the first-half Friday, the Moo took a 5-4 win to finish out the first-half.

Cooper Fuchino has led the offense this year with a .319 average after the first 24 games. Bridger Coleman is close behind with a .302 average. Stephen Espinoza, Tyrus Petsche, Fuchino and Coleman all have one homer, with Espinoza and Coleman tied for the RBI lead with 11. Dylan Brandenburg is close behind with 10.

On the mound Kadyn Van Hill (2-1, 3.50 ERA) and Robert O’Malley (2-0, .636) are the season leaders in wins. O’Malley is the probable for game one. In relief, Alex Oliver has started with three saves and a win in six appearances and a .677 ERA, second on the team behind O’Malley.

Through six games played with the Sodbusters and Moo this season, each team has won three games.

Game time for game one is pushed back from 7:05 p.m. to 8 p.m. due to severe heat in the area. Game time for Tuesday and Wednesday are set for 7:05.