Pinecrest is a perfect 3-0 against Laney since April of 2023 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Saturday. The Pinecrest Patriots are taking a road trip to face off against the Laney Buccaneers at 1:00 p.m. Laney took a loss in their last game and will be looking to turn the tables on Pinecrest, who comes in off a win.
Pinecrest gave up the first runs on Friday, but they didn't let that get them down. They won by a run and slipped past Wilmington Christian Academy 2-1.
Taylor Graves
| 03/07/25 vs Wilmington Christian Academy | 2 |
| 03/04/25 vs Millbrook | 2 |
| 02/28/25 vs Apex Friendship | 1 |
Pinecrest got a great performance from Taylor Graves as he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits over five innings pitched. Graves has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two hits any time he's pitched this season.
On the hitting side, Pinecrest saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Bryson Partington, who went 1-for-2 with two RBI.
Meanwhile, Laney came up short against Swansboro on Friday and fell 11-6. The Buccaneers have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Laney also got a good showing from Jesse Smith, who struck out eight batters over four innings while giving up just two earned runs off two hits (and only one walk).
At the plate, Carston Wedemeyer was cooking despite his team's loss, scoring two runs while going 3-for-3. That's the most hits he has posted since back in April of 2024. Another player making a difference was Jack Holliman, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one double.
The win got Pinecrest back to even at 2-2. As for Laney, they now have a losing record of 1-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Saturday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Pinecrest has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.5 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Laney struggles in that department as they've been averaging 12.7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Pinecrest was able to grind out a solid victory over Laney in their previous matchup back in May of 2024, winning 6-1. Does Pinecrest have another victory up their sleeve, or will Laney turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
