The Mitchell Mountaineers will venture away from home to square off against the Johnson County Longhorns at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Mitchell is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7 runs per game this season.
For whatever reason, it's the away team that's had the advantage when Mitchell and Hampton meet (three straight games heading into this one) and that held true again on Thursday. Mitchell put the hurt on Hampton with a sharp 15-2 win. The Mountaineers' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
AJ Mackey
| 03/13/25 @ Hampton | 10 |
| 04/26/24 @ Rosman | 9 |
| 03/04/25 @ Polk County | 7 |
| 04/18/24 @ Mountain Heritage | 7 |
| 03/21/24 @ Owen | 6 |
Jace Blanton and AJ Mackey made a splash while hitting and pitching. Throwing, Blanton tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Mackey struck out ten batters over five innings while giving up just two earned runs off five hits (and only one walk). The dominant performance gave him a new career-high in strikeouts. At the plate, Blanton scored a run while getting on base in all three of his plate appearances, while Mackey went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run and three RBI. Blanton also put up a hit, which was his first of the season.
In other batting news, Mitchell got a massive performance out of Jett Williams, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 1-for-3. The dominant performance also gave Williams a new career-high in RBI (three). Riley Silver was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing Two bases. while going 2-for-4.
Mitchell was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .394. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their batting average total in three consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, Johnson County entered their contest against Ashe County on Thursday without any home losses, but there's a first time for everything. Johnson County came up short against Ashe County, falling 30-9. The Longhorns have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Kaden Blevins was cooking despite his team's loss, scoring two runs while going 3-for-3. The team also got some help courtesy of Chris Wilson, who scored two runs while going 1-for-3.
Mitchell's record is now 2-3. As for Johnson County, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Mitchell has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Johnson County struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one. Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other baseball content.
