The Maryville Christian Eagles will face off against the Greenback Cherokees at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Maryville Christian is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.3 runs per game this season.
Victory Christian hit Maryville Christian with a four-run third inning on Thursday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Eagles took an 8-4 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Monks.
Benjamin Paddock was cooking despite his team's loss, going 3-for-4 with two runs, one double, and one RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Mattox Smith, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Greenback, who bounced back after a loss on the road last Thursday. They came out on top against Oakdale on Tuesday by a score of 11-0 (the very same score they lost by in their prior game). The result was nothing new for the Cherokees, who have now won 11 matches by six runs or more so far this season.
Kolden Williams made a big impact no matter where he played. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out nine over four innings pitched. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one walk in seven consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-2 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. Greenback is undefeated when Williams posts two or more runs, but 4-6 otherwise.
In other pitching news, Carter Hankins looked comfortable as he pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than one hit in five consecutive appearances.
Williams wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Owen O'Donnell, who went 1-for-2 with two runs and one RBI. Wyatt Campbell was another, going 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI.
Greenback was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .381. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Oakdale only posted a batting average of .143.
Maryville Christian's defeat ended a four-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 17-11. As for Greenback, they are on a roll lately: they've won three of their last four games. That's provided a nice bump to their 14-6 record this season.
Friday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Maryville Christian has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .446. However, it's not like Greenback struggles in that department as they've averaged .517. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Maryville Christian came out on top in a nail-biter against Greenback when the teams last played back in April, sneaking past 4-3. Will the Eagles repeat their success, or do the Cherokees have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
