The Blue Ridge Yellow Jackets will square off against the Snowflake Lobos at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Blue Ridge is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.7 runs per game this season.
Blue Ridge's usually-dominant pitching crew will be looking to make up for Thursday's struggle, when Show Low hitters got past them. The Yellow Jackets lost 13-7 to the Cougars on Thursday. That makes it the first time this season the Yellow Jackets have let down their home crowd.
Brenton Newcomb was cooking despite his team's loss, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with two stolen bases and one RBI. Justin Carpenter was another key player, getting on base in two of his three plate appearances with one run and one RBI.
Snowflake came out on top against Alchesay on Wednesday thanks in part to the team's impressive seven-run fourth inning. The Lobos blew past the Falcons 11-1. Considering the Lobos have won seven matches by more than nine runs this season, Wednesday's blowout was nothing new.
Gavin Rausch was a standout: he went 3-for-4 with one home run, two stolen bases, and three RBI. That's the most hits he has posted since back in March. The team also got some help courtesy of Xavier Reidhead, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and two RBI.
Snowflake always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .625. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Alchesay only posted an OBP of .316.
Snowflake pushed their record up to 13-6 with the win, which was their eighth straight at home dating back to last season. Those home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.8 runs on average over those games. As for Blue Ridge, their defeat dropped their record down to 13-5.
Friday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Blue Ridge has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .445. However, it's not like Snowflake struggles in that department as they've averaged .470. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Blue Ridge couldn't quite finish off Snowflake when the teams last played on April 1st and fell 9-7. Will the Yellow Jackets have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
