The Dudley Panthers will take on the Southern Lee Cavaliers in a tournament on Thursday. Dudley has given up an average of 15.2 runs per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Dudley lost 12-5 to Northeast Guilford on Saturday.
Brayden Jeffries
| 03/20/26 vs Ben L. Smith | 3 |
| 03/20/26 @ Ben L. Smith | 3 |
| 03/28/26 @ Northeast Guilford | 2 |
| 03/13/26 @ Page | 1 |
Brayden Jeffries was huge while hitting and pitching even without the win. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching three innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off two hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two hits in four consecutive appearances. He was even better at the plate, going 2-for-3 with four stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. He is becoming a predictor of Dudley's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 2-1 (and 0-7 when he doesn't).
In other batting news, Cameron Smith made the most of his time in the batter's box despite the final result and went 3-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double. Dudley is 2-1 when Smith posts two or more runs, but 0-7 otherwise.
Meanwhile, Southern Lee was able to grind out a solid win over Union Pines on Friday, taking the game 7-3. The victory continues a trend for the Cavaliers in their matchups with the Vikings: they've now won four in a row.
Like Dudley, Southern Lee also got a great game from a two-way player: Ben Harrington. He struck out seven batters over five innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. Harrington was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, one run, and one RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Dallas Roberts, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI and one double. Rylan Stephens was another key player, going 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI.
Southern Lee kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 5.2 hits per game earlier this season, but in their last 15 games they've averaged 9.
Southern Lee's win bumped their record up to 10-3. As for Dudley, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-8.
