Smithfield-Selma is 0-10 against South Johnston since April of 2019 but things could change on Tuesday. After both having extra time off, the two teams will shake off the cobwebs and hit the field against one another at 6:00 p.m. Smithfield-Selma has given up an average of 23.7 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Smithfield-Selma is headed into Tuesday's match looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their 27th straight game dating back to last season last Thursday. They lost 19-1 to Hunt.
Meanwhile, South Johnston came tearing into last Thursday's game with 13 straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 12.4 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They blew past the Saints 16-1. The Trojans might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 12 contests by six runs or more this season.
Randi Deese made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she tossed three innings while giving up just one earned run off one hit. She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in all three of her plate appearances with three runs, one triple, and one RBI.
In other batting news, Reese Penny and Olivia Crumpler did most of the damage at the plate: Penny got on base in all four of her plate appearances with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run, while Crumpler went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI. Those two stolen bases gave Crumpler a new career-high. Loryn Riddick was another key player, going 1-for-2 with two runs and one double.
South Johnston was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .462. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .310 or higher in four consecutive matches.
South Johnston's victory was their eighth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 14-1. The home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.9 runs on average over those games. As for Smithfield-Selma, their defeat dropped their record down to 0-15.
Smithfield-Selma suffered a grim 20-0 defeat to South Johnston in their previous matchup back in March. Will the Spartans have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
