Baseball Game Preview: Osborne Cardinals vs. Paulding County Patriots

The Osborne Cardinals will venture away from home to challenge the Paulding County Patriots at 5:55 p.m. on Friday. Osborne has given up an average of 7.5 runs per game this season, so hopefully the team got some pitching drills in this week.

Osborne managed to slip by Pebblebrook the last time these teams faced off, but didn't have those same answers this time around. Osborne came up short against Pebblebrook on Wednesday, falling 13-3. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest defeat the Cardinals have suffered against the Falcons since April 13, 2021.

Elijah Johnson

Stolen Base

03/12/25 @ Pebblebrook	1
03/11/25 vs Pebblebrook	3
03/07/25 vs Kennesaw Mountain	1

Osborne saw seven different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Elijah Johnson, who went 1-for-2 with one stolen base and one RBI. Johnson is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now snagged at least one in each of the last three games he's played.

Meanwhile, Paulding County lost 9-3 to East Paulding last Thursday. The loss continues a trend for the Patriots in their meetings with the Raiders: they've now lost five in a row.

Osborne's defeat was their third straight on the road, which dropped their record down to 6-9. As for Paulding County, their loss dropped their record down to 4-7.

Osborne's speedy runners might be the difference in Friday's game. Osborne has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.9 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Paulding County, though, as they've been averaging only 1.2 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Osborne continue to outrun the ball?

Osborne suffered a grim 16-1 defeat to Paulding County when the teams last played back in February of 2024. Can Osborne avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.