Baseball Game Preview: Harrells Christian Academy Crusaders vs. Rocky Mount Academy Eagles

The Harrells Christian Academy Crusaders are taking a road trip to square off against the Rocky Mount Academy Eagles at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Harrells Christian Academy has given up an average of 6.9 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Harrells Christian Academy is headed into Tuesday's game looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their third straight game on Thursday. They fell 11-6 to Wayne Christian. That's two games in a row now that the Crusaders have lost by exactly five runs.

Reid Strickland made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and went 2-for-4 with three RBI and one double.

Meanwhile, it was close, but on Thursday Rocky Mount Academy sidestepped Halifax Academy for a 3-2 victory.

Rocky Mount Academy saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Tripp Evans, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 1-for-3. The Eagles are 3-1 when Evans posts two or more runs, but 2-3 otherwise.

Rocky Mount Academy is on a roll lately: they've won three of their last four matches. That's provided a nice bump to their 5-4 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.3 runs on average over those games. As for Harrells Christian Academy, their loss dropped their record down to 1-7.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Harrells Christian Academy has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Rocky Mount Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 9.9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.

Harrells Christian Academy came out on top in a nail-biter against Rocky Mount Academy in their previous matchup back in March, sneaking past 6-4. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Crusaders since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.