Daniel has gone a perfect 8-0 against Pickens recently and they'll look to pad the win column further on Monday. The Lions will host the Blue Flame at 6:30 p.m. The two teams each escaped (but just barely!) with wins against their previous opponents.
Pickens will face off against a team with plenty of momentum: Daniel extended their winning streak to four on Friday. The Lions came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured a 5-4 W against Blue Ridge. That's two games straight that the Lions have won by just one run.
Corbin Spilliards
| 04/24/26 vs Blue Ridge | 9 |
| 03/20/26 @ Greer | 7 |
| 04/17/26 vs Travelers Rest | 6 |
| 03/27/26 @ Seneca | 6 |
| 03/03/26 @ Woodmont | 6 |
Corbin Spilliards made a splash no matter where he played. He struck out nine batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and three unearned) runs off three hits (and not a single walk). Those nine strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
In other pitching news, Will Davis looked comfortable as he tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two walks in 13 consecutive appearances.
Back at the plate, Ty Simpson and Liam Purcell did most of the damage at the plate: Simpson went a perfect 2-for-2 with one double and one RBI, while Purcell went 2-for-3 with two doubles and one run. That's the most doubles Purcell has posted over his last 11 contests. The team also got some help courtesy of Jackson Ownbey, who went 2-for-3 with one run and one double.
Daniel always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .552. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Blue Ridge only posted an OBP of .214.
Meanwhile, Pickens hadn't done well against Palmetto recently (they were 1-7 in their previous eight matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Thursday. The Blue Flame won by a run and slipped past the Mustangs 7-6.
Cam Wilson was excellent, going 1-for-4 with three RBI and one double. Pickens is undefeated when Wilson posts three or more RBI, but 8-12 otherwise. Wyatt Layton was another key player, going 1-for-3 with two runs.
Pickens' win bumped their record up to 11-12. As for Daniel, their victory bumped their record up to 17-7.
Pickens' pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Daniel hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .383. It's a different story for Pickens, though, as they've only averaged .255. Will they be able to contain Daniel's hitters?
Daniel got the 'W' when the teams last played back in April of 2025 against Pickens by a conclusive 10-0 score. Will the Lions repeat their success, or do the Blue Flame have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
