Preview: DeLand Bulldogs vs. New Smyrna Beach Barracudas
The DeLand Bulldogs will head out on the road to square off against the New Smyrna Beach Barracudas at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. DeLand is strutting in with some hitting muscle, as they've averaged 9.3 runs per game this season.
Last Friday, DeLand came up short against Spruce Creek and fell 8-5.
Payton Mathis led a balanced group of hitters, going 2-for-3 with a home run, an additional run, and a double. Brianne Yocum was another key contributor, scoring a run while going 2-for-4.
Meanwhile, New Smyrna Beach also suffered a loss in their last game, but this one to Flagler Palm Coast by a score of 7-2. The defeat unfortunately continues a disappointing trend for New Smyrna Beach in their matchups with Flagler Palm Coast: they've now lost four in a row.
Coral Hill spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just zero earned (and seven unearned) runs on three hits and racked up 12 Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts in five consecutive pitching appearances.
At the plate, Alexis Taylor was cooking despite her team's loss, going 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBI.
DeLand's loss ended a four-game streak of away wins and brought them to 7-3. As for New Smyrna Beach, they now have a losing record at 3-4.
Both both teams just can't seem to miss. DeLand has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9.5 hits per game. However, it's not like New Smyrna Beach struggles in that department as they've been averaging only 4.3 hits per game. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
DeLand came out on top in a nail-biter against New Smyrna Beach in their previous meeting back in March of 2022, sneaking past 7-5. Does DeLand have another victory up their sleeve, or will New Smyrna Beach turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
