The Roanoke Rapids Yellowjackets will square off against the Nash Central Bulldogs at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The timing is sure in Roanoke Rapids' favor as the team sits on four straight wins at home while Nash Central has been banged up by four consecutive losses on the road.
Having struggled with three defeats in a row, Roanoke Rapids turned things around against Franklinton on Monday. They put the hurt on the Red Rams with a sharp 8-1 win. The Yellowjackets not only won on Monday, but they posted their biggest win since March 25th (when they won 13-2).
Ayden Brantley
| 03/19/25 vs Bunn | 7 |
| 04/17/25 vs Nash Central | 5 |
| 04/22/25 @ Greene Central | 3 |
| 03/06/25 @ Southern Nash | 3 |
| 04/28/25 vs Franklinton | 1 |
| + 2 more games |
Ayden Brantley was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits (and only one walk). He has become a key player for Roanoke Rapids: the team is undefeated when he allows at most one earned run, but 3-9 otherwise. Brantley was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Collin Elias, who went 3-for-4 with three runs, two doubles, and one stolen base. That's the most hits he has posted since back in March. Bryce Manning was another key player, going 1-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base.
Nash Central never got on the board in their matchup on Friday, but that sure wasn't the case in their game against Rocky Mount on Monday. They blew past the Gryphons 14-3. Considering the Bulldogs have won nine contests by more than five runs this season, Monday's blowout was nothing new.
Caleb Cox looked comfortable as he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out eight over four innings pitched. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in seven consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Jackson Lynch was incredible, going a perfect 4-for-4 with five RBI, one stolen base, and one run. The team also got some help courtesy of Avery Flowers, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI and one run.
Nash Central always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .656. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
The victory got Roanoke Rapids back to even at 9-9. As for Nash Central, they moved to 14-9 with that win, which also ended their four-game losing streak.
Roanoke Rapids beat Nash Central 9-5 when the teams last played two weeks ago. Do the Yellowjackets have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Bulldogs turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
