For the first time this season, Rocky Mount will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup on Tuesday. They are taking a road trip to challenge the Roanoke Rapids Yellowjackets at 6:00 p.m. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty run totals in their previous games.
Rocky Mount's pitching crew heads into the game hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Friday. Everything went their way against Eastern Wayne as Rocky Mount made off with a 17-0 win. The Gryphons' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Christian Buck
| 03/07/25 vs Eastern Wayne | 8 |
| 04/16/24 vs Roanoke Rapids | 5 |
| 03/12/24 vs Nash Central | 5 |
| 04/25/24 vs Franklinton | 4 |
| 03/04/25 @ Tarboro | 3 |
Christian Buck and Gage Mitchell were a major factor no matter where they played. On the mound, Buck struck out eight batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and not a single walk). Meanwhile, Mitchell tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Those eight strikeouts gave Buck a new career-high. At the plate, Buck went a perfect 2-for-2 with one home run, two runs, and one stolen base, while Mitchell scored a run and stole Three bases. That home run was Buck's first of the season.
In other batting news, Jack McKellar was a standout: he scored two runs and stole Three bases. while going 2-for-3. He also hit a double, marking his first of the season. Another player making a difference was James High, who scored two runs while getting on base in all three of his plate appearances.
Rocky Mount always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .657. That was just more of the same: they've now posted an OBP of .531 or higher in three consecutive matches.
Meanwhile, Roanoke Rapids put another one in the bag on Thursday to keep their perfect season alive. They were the clear victor by a 13-6 margin over Southern Nash.
Collin Elias made a splash no matter where he played. He tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Elias was also big at the plate, scoring two runs while getting on base in four of his five plate appearances.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Blaine Warren, who got on base in all five of his plate appearances with one home run, four RBI, and two runs. Carson Duncan was another key player, scoring a run while going 1-for-4.
Roanoke Rapids' record now sits at 3-0. As for Rocky Mount, the victory got them back to even at 2-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Rocky Mount has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Roanoke Rapids struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.3 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Rocky Mount suffered a grim 10-2 defeat to Roanoke Rapids when the teams last played back in April of 2024. Can Rocky Mount avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
