Baseball Game Preview: Poca Dots vs. Ritchie County Rebels

The Poca Dots will take on the Ritchie County Rebels at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Poca is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.3 runs per game this season.

Poca had been on a three-game streak of scoring at least ten runs, but Wahama put an end to it on Friday. The Dots lost 9-0 to the Falcons. The Dots' defeat signaled the end of their three-game winning streak.

Meanwhile, Ritchie County can bid farewell to their five-game losing streak thanks to their game on Tuesday. They walked away with a 9-4 win over Notre Dame. The home team had taken home the W every time these teams have met since May 2, 2022, but that streak is no more.

Turner Shriver was incredible, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and one double. The team also got some help courtesy of Landon Shiflet, who went 1-for-5 with three RBI, one triple, and one run.

Ritchie County picked up their first road victory, bumping their record up to 3-27. As for Poca, their loss dropped their record down to 16-14.

Poca's speedy runners might be the difference in Thursday's game. The Dots have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.5 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Ritchie County, though, as they've been averaging only 1.2 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Poca continue to outrun the ball?

Poca was able to grind out a solid win over Ritchie County when the teams last played last Monday, winning 11-8. Will the Dots repeat their success, or do the Rebels have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.