Baseball Game Preview: Middlesboro Yellowjackets vs. Bell County Bobcats

For the second straight game, Middlesboro will face off against Bell County. The Yellowjackets will welcome the Bobcats at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The squads are rolling into the game with opposing streaks: Middlesboro has struggled recently with 17 defeats in a row, while Bell County will arrive with six straight wins.

Middlesboro lost 16-1 to Bell County on Monday.

For Bell County's part, Blake Burnett made a splash no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Burnett has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 1-for-2 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. He is becoming a predictor of Bell County's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 6-7 when he doesn't).

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Brayden Carroll, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with three runs and two RBI. Those two RBI gave him a new career-high. Cooper Brock was another key player, going 3-for-4 with three runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.

Bell County always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .633. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Bell County pushed their record up to 10-7 with the victory, which was their fifth straight at home. The home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 0.2 runs on average over those games. As for Middlesboro, their loss dropped their record down to 0-13.