The Horse Creek Academy Stallions will head out on the road to face off against the Wagener-Salley War Eagles at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. Horse Creek Academy is no doubt hoping to put an end to a three-game streak of away losses.
After soaring to a 11-point victory in their last game, Horse Creek Academy came back down to earth on Friday. They fell just short of Silver Bluff by a score of 9-7.
Colt Watkins put in work while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over 5.2 innings while giving up three earned (and five unearned) runs off eight hits (and only one walk). Watkins has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive pitching appearances. Watkins was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run while going 3-for-3.
Watkins wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Jase Turner, who went 2-for-3 with three RBI, a stolen base, and a double. Turner has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive pitching appearances. Zaine Ford was another key contributor, scoring a run while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
Meanwhile, Wagener-Salley scored the most runs they've had all season to find success last Tuesday. They put the hurt on Eau Claire with a sharp 14-4 win. The victory was just what Wagener-Salley needed coming off of a 9-3 defeat in their prior contest.
Like Horse Creek Academy, Wagener-Salley also got a great game from a two-way player: Haiden Rawls. He kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out six over four innings pitched. Rawls was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with four RBI, a triple, and a run.
In other batting news, Dylan Bevell was a standout: he scored four runs and stole two bases while going 3-for-3. Another player making a difference was Channing Smith, who scored three runs and stole two bases while going 1-for-3.
Horse Creek Academy now has a losing record at 7-8. As for Wagener-Salley, their win ended a four-game drought at home dating back to last season and bumped them up to 2-9.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both teams have some strikeout artists on the roster. Horse Creek Academy has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Wagener-Salley struggles in that department as they've been averaging 6.9. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Horse Creek Academy was able to grind out a solid victory over Wagener-Salley in their previous matchup back in February of 2023, winning 8-3. Will Horse Creek Academy repeat their success, or does Wagener-Salley have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
