The Unicoi County Blue Devils will take on the Mitchell Mountaineers at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Unicoi County's pitching crew has only allowed 3.8 runs per game this season, so Mitchell's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Unicoi County took a loss when they played away from home on Tuesday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Wednesday. Their pitcher stepped up to hand Elizabethton a 4-0 shutout. Give some credit to the fans of both teams: the last six times they've met, the home team has come away the winner.
Kolby Jones
| 04/09/25 vs Elizabethton | 10 |
| 04/01/25 @ Madison | 11 |
| 03/24/25 vs Tennessee | 10 |
| 03/19/25 vs David Crockett | 7 |
| 03/11/25 vs Sullivan East | 14 |
| 03/04/25 @ South Greene | 12 |
Kolby Jones made a splash no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run while striking out ten over seven innings pitched. He has been consistent : he hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts in six consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-2.
Jones wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Angel Delgado, who scored a run while going 1-for-2.
For whatever reason, it's the away team that's had the advantage when Mitchell and Owen meet (three straight games heading into this one) and that held true again on Tuesday. The Mountaineers were the clear victors by a 12-6 margin over the Warhorses. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest victory the Mountaineers have posted against the Warhorses since May 11, 2021.
Like Unicoi County, Mitchell also got a great game from a two-way player: Riley Silver. On the mound, he pitched five innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off seven hits. Silver also tossed a walk, which is notable because Mitchell is undefeated when he allows at most two walks, but 4-7 otherwise. Silver was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-3.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Jacoby Dale, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 3-for-5. Mitchell is undefeated when Dale posts three or more hits, but 4-7 otherwise. Another player making a difference was Owen Riddle, who scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-2.
Mitchell was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .406. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their batting average total in three consecutive matches.
The win got Mitchell back to even at 7-7. As for Unicoi County, their record is now 12-6.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Thursday as neither team is afraid to steal. Unicoi County has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Mitchell struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 3.3 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Unicoi County skirted past Mitchell 4-3 in their previous meeting back in March of 2022. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Blue Devils since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
