Branford is 0-3 against Union County since March of 2021 but things could change on Tuesday. The Buccaneers will face off against the Fightin' Tigers at 7:00 p.m. Branford will be looking to extend their current nine-game winning streak.
Branford is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Monday. They never let Hawthorne get on the board and left with a 15-0 victory. The result was nothing new for the Buccaneers, who have now won 14 matchups by six runs or more so far this season.
Kyler Williamson made a splash while hitting and pitching. He tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been consistent : he hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring four runs and stealing four bases while going 3-for-3. That's the most hits he has posted since back in March.
In other pitching news, Keaton Brown looked comfortable as he pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up a single hit in three consecutive appearances.
Back at the plate, Enalee Perry was excellent, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 1-for-2. Another player making a difference was Jackson Skinner, who scored two runs while going 1-for-3.
Branford always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .586. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Hawthorne only posted an OBP of .143.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Union County, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Wednesday. They came out on top in a nail-biter against West Port on Thursday, sneaking past 6-4. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Fightin' Tigers have posted since February 27th.
The team relied heavily on Trenton Klein, who scored a run and stole two bases while going 1-for-3. He is becoming a predictor of Union County's success: when he posts at least two stolen bases the team is undefeated (and 8-13 when he doesn't). The team also got some help courtesy of DEVIN DIGGS, who scored a run while going 1-for-3.
Union County's victory ended a three-game drought at home and bumped them up to 12-13. As for Branford, their record is now 20-6.
Union County's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Branford hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .313. It's a different story for Union County, though, as they've only averaged .246. Will they be able to contain Branford's hitters?
Branford might still be hurting after the 20-2 defeat they got from Union County in their previous meeting back in April of 2021. Can the Buccaneers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
