The Middlesex Chargers will head out to square off against the West Point Pointers at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Middlesex is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7 runs per game this season.
Middlesex proved they can win big on Friday (they won by nine) and on Tuesday they proved they can win the close ones too. They skirted past Mathews 2-0. The Chargers haven't had any issues with the Blue Devils recently, as the game was their seventh consecutive win against them.
Not much got past Henry Fleet, who gave up just two hits and racked up ten Ks to keep Mathews off the board.
On the hitting side, Middlesex's victory was truly a team effort as three different players contributed at least one hit. One of them was Bryson Bulgin, who went 1-for-2 with one stolen base.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for West Point, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Thursday. Everything went their way against Charles City on Tuesday as they made off with a 28-18 win. The Pointers' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Gavin Stoffer was a standout: he got on base in five of his six plate appearances with four runs, two stolen bases, and three RBI. Those RBI were his first of the season. Another player making a difference was Jake Atkins, who got on base in four of his six plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
West Point always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .661. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Middlesex now has a winning record of 7-6. As for West Point, their record is now 2-9.
Everything went Middlesex's way against West Point in their previous matchup two weeks ago, as Middlesex made off with an 18-1 victory. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Chargers since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
