The Hubbertville Lions will face off against the Pickens Academy Pirates at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Each of these teams will be fighting to keep a win streak alive as Hubbertville comes in on eight and Pickens Academy on four.
On Thursday, Hubbertville needed a bit of extra time to put away Berry. They had just enough and edged out the Wildcats 5-3. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Lions have posted against the Wildcats since April 5, 2019.
Cole Brand
| 04/03/25 @ Berry | 6 |
| 03/28/25 vs Lamar County | 3 |
| 03/21/25 vs Pickens Academy | 5 |
| 03/07/25 @ Carbon Hill | 3 |
| 03/28/24 @ Lynn | 4 |
| 03/12/24 @ Marion County | 9 |
Cole Brand was a major factor no matter where he played. He struck out six batters over 4.1 innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off one hit. That's the most strikeouts he has posted since back in March of 2024. He was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one triple, one stolen base, and one run. That triple marked the first that he hit this season.
Brand wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Tj Keeton, who scored two runs while going 1-for-4. Keeton also put up a double, which was his first of the season. Another was Kane Rushing, who scored a run while going 1-for-3.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Pickens Academy). Their pitchers stepped up to hand Pickens County a 26-0 shutout on Thursday. The Pirates might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won eight matches by seven runs or more this season.
Like Hubbertville, Pickens Academy also got a great game from a two-way player: Braden Banks. On the mound, he tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Banks also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Pickens Academy is 6-3 when he allows at most two earned runs, but 5-6 otherwise. Banks was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring three runs and stealing a base while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
In other batting news, Aaron Kirk and Hudson Pennington did most of the damage at the plate: Kirk went 3-for-4 with one home run, seven RBI, and two runs, while Pennington got on base in all four of his plate appearances with three stolen bases, four runs, and five RBI. Kirk has become a key player for Pickens Academy: the team is undefeated when he posts at least two runs, but 6-9 otherwise. Will Garrett was another key player, scoring three runs and stealing two bases while getting on base in both of his plate appearances.
Pickens Academy always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .750. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Pickens Academy pushed their record up to 11-9 with the victory, which was their fourth straight at home. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 16.5 runs over those games. As for Hubbertville, their victory bumped their record up to 12-6.
Hubbertville skirted past Pickens Academy 6-5 when the teams last played two weeks ago. Will the Lions repeat their success, or do the Pirates have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
