The Middle Creek Mustangs will square off against the Willow Spring Storm at 4:00 p.m. on Monday. Middle Creek will be strutting in after a win while Willow Spring will be coming in after a loss.
Middle Creek took a loss when they played away from home on Tuesday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Wednesday. Everything went their way against Green Level as they made off with a 14-6 victory.
Leo Lupienski was a major factor no matter where he played. He tossed four innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits. Lupienski was even better at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one home run, six RBI, and two runs.
Middle Creek always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .575. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Green Level only posted an OBP of .429.
Meanwhile, Willow Spring was not able to break out of their rough patch on Thursday as the team picked up their third straight defeat. They were a single run away from ending the streak, but they lost a 4-3 heartbreaker at the hands of Fuquay-Varina.
Willow Spring also got a good showing from Colby Harbin, who struck out six batters over two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and not a single walk).
At the plate, Gio Tafalla was cooking despite his team's loss, going 2-for-3 with one home run and two RBI. That home run was his first of the season.
Willow Spring's loss dropped their record down to 1-3. As for Middle Creek, their win (their first of the season) made their record 1-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Middle Creek has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Willow Spring struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.2 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Middle Creek suffered a grim 9-0 defeat to Willow Spring when the teams last played last Wednesday. Will the Mustangs have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more baseball content.
