Baseball Game Preview: Red Level Tigers vs. Baker Gators

The Red Level Tigers are packing up and heading out on the road for their first away game this season: they will take on the Baker Gators at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.

Things were looking good for Red Level after they put the first points on the board on Thursday, but unfortunately for them things went downhill from there. They fell just short of Kinston by a score of 9-8.

Buddy Griffin was huge while hitting and pitching even without the win. He pitched 1.1 innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, he gave up only zero walks, the fewest he's had since back in February of 2024. He was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring three runs and stealing two bases while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances. The dominant performance also gave him a new career-high in hits (two).

In other batting news, Brock Skipper stepped up to lead a balanced group of hitters: he scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in two of his four plate appearances. Those two runs gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Wyatt Simmons, who went 1-for-3 with one triple and two RBI.

Meanwhile, Baker made easy work of Pensacola Christian Academy on Tuesday and carried off a 12-1 win. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Gators.

Like Red Level, Baker also got a great game from a two-way player: Maddox Smith. On the mound, he pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Smith has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one earned run any time he's pitched this season. He was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 3-for-3.

In other batting news, Joel Morse was incredible, scoring two runs and stealing a base while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances. Ty Fernandez was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 1-for-2.

Baker always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .586. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Pensacola Christian Academy only posted an OBP of .391.

Red Level's record now sits at 1-1. As for Baker, they now have a winning record of 2-1.