The Southwick Regional Rams will challenge the Drury Blue Devils at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Southwick Regional has given up an average of 10.8 runs per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Southwick Regional is coming in off a wild two-game stretch: after soaring to 12 runs on Thursday, they were much more limited against Wahconah Regional on Tuesday. They came up short against the Warriors, falling 14-2.
Southwick Regional saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Keith Drzyzga, who went 1-for-2 with one run and one double. Bryan Pomeroy also deserves some recognition as he got his first hit of the season.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Drury). Everything went their way against Mount Greylock Regional on Wednesday as they made off with a 17-1 win. With that victory, the Blue Devils brought their scoring average up to 7 runs per game.
Carson Rylander made a splash while hitting and pitching. He didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits over four innings pitched. He also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Drury is 2-1 when he allows at most one earned run, but 1-2 otherwise. Rylander was also big at the plate, getting on base in two of his four plate appearances with two runs and one stolen base.
In other batting news, Connor Hinkell was incredible, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with four runs, two stolen bases, and one triple. Those two stolen bases gave him a new career-high. JJ Prenguber was another key player, going 2-for-3 with three runs, two RBI, and one double.
Drury always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .658. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
The win got Drury back to even at 3-3. As for Southwick Regional, they dropped their record down to 1-4 with the loss, which was their third straight on the road.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Southwick Regional has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Drury struggles in that department as they've been averaging 9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
