For the first time this season, Willow Spring will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup on Tuesday. They will square off against the Clayton Comets at 7:00 p.m. Willow Spring is coming into the game on a three-game losing streak.
Willow Spring lost 12-1 to Cardinal Gibbons on Monday.
Willow Spring got a good showing from Chadburn Turner, who tossed 1.2 innings while giving up no earned runs or hits.
On the hitting side, Willow Spring saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Bryce Marsh, who went 1-for-3 with one double and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Clayton was able to grind out a solid victory over South Granville on Friday, taking the game 10-5. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Comets.
Jennings Dunlap was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, he gave up only zero earned runs, the fewest he's had since back in February of 2024. He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-1.
In other pitching news, Jackson Clinard looked comfortable as he pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two hits in four consecutive appearances.
Back at the plate, Jamison Lynch and Cam Bryant did most of the damage at the plate: Lynch scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-4, while Bryant scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-3. Clayton is undefeated when Lynch posts two or more runs, but 0-3 otherwise. The team also got some help courtesy of Grant Buchanan, who went 1-for-4 with one triple and one RBI.
Willow Spring's defeat dropped their record down to 0-3. As for Clayton, the win got them back to even at 3-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Willow Spring has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.3 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Clayton struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Willow Spring couldn't quite finish off Clayton when the teams last played back in March of 2024 and fell 7-5. Can Willow Spring avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
