The Tantasqua Regional Warriors will challenge the Grafton Gators at 3:30 p.m. on Monday. The timing is sure in Tantasqua Regional's favor as the team sits on 12 straight wins at home (dating back to last season) while Grafton has been banged up by seven consecutive losses on the road also dating back to last season.
Last Thursday, Tantasqua Regional beat Belchertown 5-2.
Miles Blake tossed a big game, striking out nine batters over six innings while giving up just two earned runs off one hit. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two hits any time he's pitched this season.
On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Brandon Phillips, who scored a run while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances. Chace Fredette was another key player, going 2-for-4 with one stolen base, one double, and one RBI.
Tantasqua Regional was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .414. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their batting average total in three consecutive matches.
Meanwhile, Grafton came up short against Ashland on Friday and fell 5-2.
Grafton saw six different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was C.J. Chagnon, who went 2-for-4 with one stolen base.
Tantasqua Regional's victory bumped their record up to 6-1. As for Grafton, they now have a losing record of 2-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Tantasqua Regional has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 10.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Grafton struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 6.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Tantasqua Regional took their win against Grafton in their previous meeting back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 11-1 score. Do the Warriors have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Gators turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
