The Clewiston Tigers will square off against the Avon Park Red Devils at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Clewiston will aim to continue their three-game streak of scoring more runs each matchup than the last.
Clewiston is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. Everything went their way against Glades Day on Wednesday as they made off with a 22-4 win. The Tigers have beaten the Gators the last four times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Gators has come to flipping the script.
Rocco Mann was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he pitched three innings while giving up just one earned (and three unearned) runs off one hit. Mann was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
In other batting news, Braylin Herrera was a standout: he went a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI. Those two stolen bases gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Clayton Sparks, who got on base in all three of his plate appearances with two stolen bases, two RBI, and one run.
Clewiston always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .718. They are a perfect 4-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Meanwhile, Avon Park was not the first on the board on Thursday, but they got there more often. They skirted past Sebring 4-3.
Clewiston's victory bumped their record up to 9-11. As for Avon Park, their win bumped their record up to 9-10.
Clewiston's speedy runners might be the difference in Friday's contest. The Tigers have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.6 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Avon Park, though, as they've been averaging only 0.7 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Clewiston continue to outrun the ball?
Clewiston was able to grind out a solid victory over Avon Park in their previous meeting on Friday, winning 5-0. Do the Tigers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Red Devils turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
