Union/Allegheny-Clarion Valley is 0-3 against Redbank Valley since April of 2023 but things could change on Thursday. Union/Allegheny-Clarion Valley will look to defend their home field against Redbank Valley at 4:00 p.m. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
On Wednesday, Union/Allegheny-Clarion Valley made easy work of Keystone and carried off a 10-3 win. The victory continues a trend for Union/Allegheny-Clarion Valley in their matchups with Keystone: they've now won five in a row.
Carter McGarvey was excellent, going 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. Colbin Elliott was another key player, going 1-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Redbank Valley waltzed into their matchup on Tuesday with six straight wins... but they left with seven. They were the clear victors by a 10-4 margin over the Gremlins. Redbank Valley's win was all the more impressive since the Gremlins were averaging only 3.44 runs allowed on the season.
Braylon Wagner was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He pitched four innings while giving up just one earned run off five hits. Wagner was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with four RBI, two runs, and one double. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in April.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Jordan Smith, who went 1-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double. Another player making a difference was Carson Gould, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI.
Redbank Valley kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least ten hits in three consecutive contests.
Redbank Valley's victory was their seventh straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 12-8. The road wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.4 runs on average over those games. As for Union/Allegheny-Clarion Valley, their victory bumped their record up to 11-7.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Union/Allegheny-Clarion Valley has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Redbank Valley struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Union/Allegheny-Clarion Valley came up short against Redbank Valley when the teams last played back in April, falling 3-0. Can Union/Allegheny-Clarion Valley avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
