Baseball Game Preview: Princeton Bulldogs vs. Nash Central Bulldogs

Princeton will challenge Nash Central at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Princeton 3, Nash Central 3.9) so any runs scored will be well earned.

Princeton proved they can win big last Thursday (they won by 12) and on Monday they proved they can win the close ones too. They skirted past Ayden - Grifton 4-3.

Princeton let Macon Boone and Aston Massey run wild. Boone went 2-for-3 with one stolen base and two RBI, while Massey got on base in two of his three plate appearances with two stolen bases and two runs. Another player making a difference was Branson Flynn, who got on base in two of his three plate appearances with two runs and one stolen base.

The home team had won the previous five meetings between Nash Central and Roanoke Rapids, and Roanoke Rapids kept the tradition alive. The Bulldogs fell 9-5 to the Yellowjackets on Thursday.

Nash Central saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Shea Whitley, who went 3-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI. That double was Whitley's first of the season. Tyler Bowen was another, going 1-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI.

Princeton's win was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 12-5. Those home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.0 run on average over those games. As for Nash Central, they have traveled a rocky road recently, having lost three of their last four matchups. That's put a noticeable dent in their 13-6 record this season.

The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Tuesday as neither team is afraid to steal. Princeton has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.9 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Nash Central struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 3 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.

Princeton suffered a grim 7-0 defeat to Nash Central when the teams last played back in May of 2024. Can Princeton avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.