The Tarboro Vikings will venture away from home to face off against the Hobgood Charter Raiders at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Tarboro is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.5 runs per game this season.
Tarboro will bounce into Wednesday's match after beating Martin County, who they had gone 0-3 against in their three prior meetings. The Vikings sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 6-5 win over the Gators on Thursday. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Vikings have posted since March 11th.
Cole Craddock made a big impact no matter where he played. He struck out eight batters over 6.1 innings while giving up five earned runs off five hits. He has been consistent: he hasn't tossed less than eight strikeouts in five consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, getting on base in all three of his plate appearances with two stolen bases and one run. That's the most stolen bases he has posted since back in April of 2024.
Stephen Ribustello
| 03/04/25 vs Rocky Mount | 4 |
| 04/08/25 @ North East Carolina Prep | 3 |
| 03/24/25 vs Southeast Halifax | 3 |
| 03/21/25 @ Bertie | 3 |
| 03/11/25 vs Louisburg | 3 |
| + 10 more games |
Craddock wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Stephen Ribustello, who went 1-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. Ribustello is becoming a predictor of Tarboro's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 3-6 when he doesn't).
Meanwhile, Hobgood Charter won against Mattamuskeet on Tuesday with 18 runs and they decided to stick to that run total again on Thursday. The Raiders were the clear victors by an 18-1 margin over the Lakers. The Raiders might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won five games by seven runs or more this season.
Like Tarboro, Hobgood Charter also got a great game from a two-way player: LUKE LANIER. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over five innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits (and only one walk). LANIER was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with two runs, one double, and one RBI.
In other batting news, Hobgood Charter got a massive performance out of CONNER ROBERSON, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two stolen bases, three runs, and three RBI. ROBERSON also hit a double, marking his first of the season. CARLOS MARTINEZ was another key player, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Hobgood Charter always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .590. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Mattamuskeet only posted an OBP of .300.
Tarboro pushed their record up to 11-6 with the win, which was their eighth straight at home. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.5 runs over those games. As for Hobgood Charter, they are on a roll lately: they've won five of their last six contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 8-4 record this season.
