The North Broward Prep Eagles will face off against the Clewiston Tigers at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (North Broward Prep 3, Clewiston 2.4) so any runs scored will be well earned.
North Broward Prep is probably headed into the matchup with a chip on their shoulder considering Killian just ended the team's 11-game winning streak on Thursday. They took a 5-0 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Cougars. The shutout was out of character for the Eagles seeing as the last time the team failed to score was back in March.
North Broward Prep got a good showing from Nate Hernandez, who tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. What's more, Hernandez gave up only one walk, the fewest he's had since back in March.
Meanwhile, with a playoff win on the line, Clewiston rose to the challenge on Monday. Everything went their way against the Cougars as they made off with a 12-2 victory. The Tigers' offense finally found a way to get into gear: the high-octane performance was a 180-degree turn from their last three games.
Graysen Redish and Jackson Mann made a splash no matter where they played. On the mound, Redish tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Mann struck out 13 batters over five innings while giving up just two earned runs off five hits. He has been consistent : he hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in seven consecutive appearances. At bat, Redish scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-4, while Mann scored two runs and stole two bases while going 3-for-4. That's the most stolen bases Mann has posted since back in February.
In other batting news, Cayson Holman was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing a base while going 3-for-5. The dominant performance also gave him a new career-high in RBI (three). Another player making a difference was William Bussott, who scored a run while going 2-for-5.
Clewiston was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .382. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Somerset Academy - Canyons only posted a batting average of .182.
The win snapped Clewiston's losing streak at three games and leaves them with a 15-8 record. As for North Broward Prep, their defeat dropped their record down to 19-6.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. North Broward Prep has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Clewiston struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 9.2 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
