The Bridges Prep Buccaneers and the Hampton County Hurricanes, after both having extra time off, will shake off the cobwebs and hit the field at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Bridges Prep's pitching crew heads into the game hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed last Friday. They put the hurt on Thomas Heyward Academy with a sharp 10-0 win. Winning may never get old, but the Buccaneers sure are getting used to it with their sixth in a row.
Dawson Cook and Tavin Almendarez made a splash no matter where they played. Throwing, Cook tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Almendarez tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Cook has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in seven consecutive appearances. At the plate, Cook went a perfect 1-for-1 with two RBI, while Almendarez went 1-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. That's the most RBI Cook has posted since back in March.
In other batting news, Bridges Prep let Bryce Young and Layton Tillotson run wild. Young went a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBI, while Tillotson went 1-for-3 with three runs and one double. That's the most hits Young has posted since back in March.
Meanwhile, Hampton County made easy work of Whale Branch last Thursday and carried off a 15-0 victory. The win continues a trend for the Hurricanes in their matchups with the Warriors: they've now won four in a row.
Like Bridges Prep, Hampton County also got a great game from a two-way player: Owen Shaffer. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only one hit while striking out nine over four innings pitched. Shaffer also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Hampton County is undefeated when he allows at most two earned runs, but 2-4 otherwise. Shaffer was also big at the plate, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with one home run and four RBI. That home run was his first of the season.
In other batting news, Jakarre Badger was a standout: he got on base in both of his plate appearances with five stolen bases and two runs. Another player making a difference was Shane Elmquist, who got on base in two of his four plate appearances with two stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI.
Hampton County always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .636. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Bridges Prep's record now sits at 13-2. As for Hampton County, they now have a winning record of 5-4.
Tuesday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Bridges Prep has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .486. However, it's not like Hampton County struggles in that department as they've averaged .508. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Bridges Prep skirted past Hampton County 5-4 in their previous meeting back in April of 2025. Will the Buccaneers repeat their success, or do the Hurricanes have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
