Baseball Game Preview: Pleasant Grove Spartans vs. Oak Grove Tigers

The Pleasant Grove Spartans will head out on the road to square off against the Oak Grove Tigers at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Pleasant Grove has given up an average of 8.8 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Pleasant Grove's last matchup with Oneonta could've gone either way, but unfortunately the same can't be said for the pair's match on Saturday. The Spartans lost 17-2 to the Redskins. The loss was just more heartbreak for the Spartans who fell 5-3 when the teams previously met back in April of 2016.

Meanwhile, Oak Grove entered their tilt with Tuscaloosa Academy on Monday with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. Their pitcher stepped up to hand the Knights a 10-0 shutout. The Tigers' pitching crew has been rock solid lately; the team hasn't given up a run in their last three contests.

Oak Grove got a great performance from Brody Black as he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out six over five innings pitched. Black has been consistent : he hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances.

At the plate, Jay Fuller was a standout: he went 2-for-3 with one triple and one run. Weston Hyche also deserves some recognition as he hit his first double of the season.

Oak Grove always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .633. That was just more of the same: they've now posted an OBP of .609 or higher in three consecutive games.

Oak Grove's win was their 11th straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 21-2. The home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.9 runs over those games. As for Pleasant Grove, they have been struggling recently as they've lost five of their last six matchups. That's put a noticeable dent in their 8-12 record this season.

Tuesday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Pleasant Grove has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .484. However, it's not like Oak Grove struggles in that department as they've averaged .460. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.

Pleasant Grove might still be hurting after the 11-5 defeat they got from Oak Grove when the teams last played back in March of 2018. Can the Spartans avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.