Baseball Game Preview: Alcovy Tigers vs. Clarke Central Gladiators

The Alcovy Tigers will take on the Clarke Central Gladiators at 5:55 p.m. on Friday. Alcovy has given up an average of 15.1 runs per game this season, so hopefully the team got some pitching drills in this week.

Having struggled with 17 losses in a row dating back to last season, Alcovy turned things around against Salem on Wednesday. They walked away with a 17-14 win over the Seminoles. The Tigers' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.

Evan Kenley

Stolen Base (Career)

03/19/25 vs Salem	4
04/11/24 @ Jonesboro	2
03/12/24 @ Mundy's Mill	2
03/07/25 vs Apalachee	1
03/27/24 vs Forest Park	1

Evan Kenley and Samuell Minnifield made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, Kenley struck out eight batters over 3.2 innings while giving up just two earned (and five unearned) runs off five hits. Meanwhile, Minnifield tossed 3.1 innings while giving up just one earned (and six unearned) runs off two hits. That's the fewest hits Kenley has allowed since back in April of 2024. At bat, Kenley scored five runs and stole Four bases. while getting on base in four of his five plate appearances, while Minnifield went 1-for-4 with two stolen bases, three runs, and three RBI. Those four stolen bases gave Kenley a new career-high.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Raleigh Bolt, who scored two runs and stole Four bases. while going 3-for-4. The dominant performance gave him a new career-high in hits. The team also got some help courtesy of Justin Gamble, who scored four runs while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances.

Meanwhile, Wednesday just wasn't the day for Clarke Central's offense. They fell just short of Jackson County by a score of 2-0 on Wednesday. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest defeat the Gladiators have suffered against the Panthers since March 24, 2021.

Alcovy's first victory this season bumped their record up to 1-15. As for Clarke Central, they dropped their record down to 8-11 with the loss, which was their fifth straight on the road.

Everything went Alcovy's way against Clarke Central in their previous matchup back in March of 2022, as Alcovy made off with a 10-4 win. Will Alcovy repeat their success, or does Clarke Central have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.