Baseball Game Preview: Apex Friendship Patriots vs. Asheville Cougars

The Apex Friendship Patriots will head out to square off against the Asheville Cougars at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Each of these teams will be fighting to keep a win streak alive as Apex Friendship comes in on seven and Asheville on eight.

Apex Friendship had to skate by with only a two-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 13-run drubbing they dealt Tuscola on Wednesday. The Patriots blew past the Mountaineers 17-4. With that win, the Patriots brought their scoring average up to 6.5 runs per game.

Luke Hemric looked comfortable as he pitched three innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. He has been consistent : he hasn't given up more than one earned run in five consecutive appearances.

Ajay Rychcik

Runs Batted In (Career)

04/02/25 @ Tuscola	4
03/27/25 vs Apex	2
02/28/25 @ Pinecrest	2
02/24/25 vs Leesville Road	2
03/19/25 @ Cardinal Gibbons	1

At the plate, Connor Payne and Ajay Rychcik did most of the damage at the plate: Payne went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs, three doubles, and four RBI, while Rychcik went a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs. Those four RBI gave Rychcik a new career-high. Hayden Fones was another key player, scoring two runs while going 3-for-3.

Apex Friendship always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .634. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Meanwhile, Asheville got the win against North Buncombe on Tuesday by a conclusive 11-1. Considering the Cougars have won five games by more than six runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.

Asheville's victory was their fifth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 8-3. The home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.4 runs over those games. As for Apex Friendship, their record is now 9-5.