Poplar Springs and Ponce De Leon are an even 5-5 against one another since April of 2019, but likely not for long. Poplar Springs is taking a road trip to face off against Ponce De Leon at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Poplar Springs will aim to continue their three-game streak of scoring more runs each matchup than the last.
Poplar Springs had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 13-run drubbing they dealt Bethlehem on Tuesday. Poplar Springs was the clear victor by a 16-3 margin over Bethlehem. The result was nothing new for the Atomics, who have now won three games by ten runs or more so far this season.
Baron Hall
| 03/25/25 @ Bethlehem | 2 |
| 03/03/25 vs Vernon | 2 |
| 02/18/25 @ Graceville | 2 |
| 03/13/25 vs Malone | 1 |
| 03/04/25 @ Vernon | 1 |
| + 2 more games |
Baron Hall and Landen Gammons made a splash no matter where they played. On the mound, Hall struck out six batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Gammons struck out six batters over two innings while giving up just one earned run off one hit. Hall has been consistent recently: he hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. At bat, Hall scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in four of his five plate appearances, while Gammons scored three runs while going 2-for-4. Hall is becoming a predictor of Poplar Springs' success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 2-1 (and 3-4 when he doesn't).
In other batting news, Hudson Mattox was excellent, scoring two runs and stealing three bases while getting on base in two of his four plate appearances. That's the most runs he has posted since back in April of 2024. Rhett Greenwood also deserves some recognition as he hit his first double of the season.
Poplar Springs always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .575. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Meanwhile, Ponce De Leon beat Malone 9-5 on Tuesday. The Pirates haven't had any issues with the Tigers recently, as the game was their fourth consecutive victory against them.
The team relied heavily on Mark Flynn, who scored a run and stole a base while going 3-for-3. The team also got some help courtesy of Braiden Yates, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two RBI.
Ponce De Leon's record is now 7-3. As for Poplar Springs, the win got them back to even at 5-5.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Friday as neither team is afraid to steal. Poplar Springs has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.4 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Ponce De Leon struggles in that department as they've been averaging 5.8 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Poplar Springs came out on top in a nail-biter against Ponce De Leon in their previous meeting back in April of 2024, sneaking past 8-7. Will Poplar Springs repeat their success, or does Ponce De Leon has a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
