Baseball Game Preview: Newburgh Free Academy Goldbacks vs. Tallwood Lions

The Newburgh Free Academy Goldbacks will head out on the road to challenge the Tallwood Lions at 11:00 a.m. on Friday. The teams are on pretty different trajectories at the moment (Newburgh Free Academy has three straight victories, Tallwood has five straight defeats), but none of that matters once you're on the field.

Newburgh Free Academy had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the six-run drubbing they dealt Grassfield on Thursday. The Goldbacks blew past the Grizzlies 7-1. The Goldbacks not only won on Thursday, but they posted their biggest win since May 21, 2024 (when they won 6-0).

Colin Wing looked comfortable as he tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two hits any time he's pitched this season.

At the plate, Joey Santo was a standout: he went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, one double, and one RBI. That's the most runs he has posted since back in May of 2024. JJ McCoy also deserves some recognition as he snagged his first stolen base of the season.

Newburgh Free Academy hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Grassfield struck out eight times.

Meanwhile, Tallwood fell victim to Kempsville and their airtight pitching crew last Thursday. They took a 3-0 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Chiefs.

Newburgh Free Academy's win was their third straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 6-2. Those road victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.7 runs on average over those games. As for Tallwood, their loss dropped their record down to 1-5.

Newburgh Free Academy suffered a grim 11-5 defeat to Tallwood when the teams last played back in April of 2017. Can the Goldbacks avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.