Baseball Game Preview: Valwood Valiants vs. St. John Paul II Panthers

Valwood is a perfect 3-0 against St. John Paul II since March of 2023 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Wednesday. The Valiants will host the Panthers at 5:30 p.m. Valwood is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.1 runs per game this season.

Valwood made up a huge gap compared to their last game against Taylor County, but they still couldn't quite topple them. The Valiants were the clear victors by an 11-1 margin over the Bulldogs on Tuesday. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Valiants.

Camden Crump spent all six innings played on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered only one earned run on seven hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one walk in six consecutive appearances.

Chase Helfer

Doubles (Career)

04/08/25 vs Taylor County	2
04/04/25 vs Southland Academy	1
03/07/25 @ Taylor County	1
04/29/24 vs Frederica Academy	1
02/23/24 vs Echols County	1

On the hitting side, Maddox Coile and Chase Helfer did most of the damage at the plate: Coile scored four runs and stole three bases while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances, while Helfer went 3-for-4 with five RBI, two doubles, and one run. Those two doubles gave Helfer a new career-high. Dywan Powell was another key player, going 1-for-3 with one home run and three RBI.

Meanwhile, St. John Paul II unfortunately witnessed the end of their six-game winning streak on Friday. They fell 5-1 to Aucilla Christian. The Panthers were red-hot at the plate heading into the game (they scored no less than ten runs in the four matches prior), but the Warriors' pitchers proved too tough.

St. John Paul II's loss dropped their record down to 14-4. As for Valwood, their win bumped their record up to 9-6.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Wednesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Valwood has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like St. John Paul II struggles in that department as they've been averaging 6.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.

Valwood took their victory against St. John Paul II in their previous matchup back in March of 2024 by a conclusive 9-2 score. Do the Valiants have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Panthers turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.