The Eagleton College & Career Academy Royals will head out to take on the Sevier County Smoky Bears at 5:30 p.m. on Monday. Eagleton College & Career Academy is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.8 runs per game this season.
Eagleton College & Career Academy came out on top against Gatlinburg-Pittman on Thursday thanks in part to the team's impressive six-run fifth inning. The Royals were the clear victors by an 11-0 margin over the Highlanders. The win continues a trend for the Royals in their matchups with the Highlanders: they've now won six in a row.
Kyla Long made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She didn't allow a single earned run while striking out seven over five innings pitched. Long was also solid in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, one run, and one RBI. That's the most doubles she has posted since back in March.
In other batting news, Eagleton College & Career Academy let Sara Wilson and Graci Fenstemaker run wild. Wilson went 2-for-4 with one triple, one run, and one RBI, while Fenstemaker went a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs and one RBI. That's the most hits Fenstemaker has posted since back in March. Madison Fenstemaker also deserves some recognition as she got her first hit of the season.
Eagleton College & Career Academy kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 17 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, Sevier County hadn't done well against Jefferson County recently (they were 0-9 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Thursday. The Smoky Bears came out on top against the Patriots by a score of 13-9. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Smoky Bears.
Emma McClure was incredible, firing off two home runs and four RBI while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances. The team also got some help courtesy of Madison Hartline, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI, two runs, and one double.
Eagleton College & Career Academy's record is now 15-11-1. As for Sevier County, their victory was their first in the district, bumping their district record up to 1-5 and their overall record up to 6-10.
Monday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Eagleton College & Career Academy hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .351. However, it's not like Sevier County struggles in that department as they've averaged .339. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Eagleton College & Career Academy took their win against Sevier County in their previous matchup on April 1st by a conclusive 14-3 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Royals since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
