Rockingham County has won nine straight games at home, while Southern Guilford has won nine straight on the road, but those streaks won't matter much on Friday. The Cougars will welcome the Storm at 6:00 p.m. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Rockingham County 1.2, Southern Guilford 3.4) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Southern Guilford's hitters are going to have their work cut out for them on Friday: Rockingham County hadn't allowed a single run the last three times they've hit the field. The Cougars didn't even let High Point Central on the board on Wednesday, marking the Cougars' second-straight 15-0 shutout. Considering the Cougars have won 16 matches by more than eight runs this season, Wednesday's blowout was nothing new.
Ava Grace Pruitt made a big impact no matter where she played. On the mound, she tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up a single earned run in ten consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases and two runs. That's the most stolen bases she has posted since back in April of 2024.
In other batting news, Zoey Snead and Ella Brannock did most of the damage at the plate: Snead went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs, two RBI, and one double, while Brannock went a perfect 2-for-2 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. That's the most hits Brannock has posted since back in March. Lily Strittmatter was another key player, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, two RBI, and one double.
Rockingham County kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 15 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in six consecutive games.
Meanwhile, it was close, but on Wednesday Southern Guilford sidestepped Eastern Guilford for a 4-3 win. The victory continues a trend for the Storm in their matchups with the Wildcats: they've now won three in a row.
Like Rockingham County, Southern Guilford also got a great game from a two-way player: Kenly Brown. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only two hits while striking out 13 over seven innings pitched. Brown was also big at the plate, getting on base in all three of her plate appearances with two stolen bases and one run.
In other batting news, Naomi Hunt was excellent, going 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, one run, and one RBI.
Southern Guilford's win bumped their record up to 13-3. As for Rockingham County, their victory bumped their record up to 19-1.
Friday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Rockingham County hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .463. However, it's not like Southern Guilford struggles in that department as they've averaged .429. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Rockingham County came out on top in a nail-biter against Southern Guilford in their previous matchup back in March, sneaking past 4-2. Do the Cougars have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Storm turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
