The Hoggard Vikings will take on the Laney Buccaneers at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Hoggard 3.8, Laney 3.8) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Hoggard will roll into the contest after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up two runs on Friday, then bounced right back against Millbrook on Saturday. The Vikings put the hurt on the Wildcats with a sharp 10-3 win. While the Vikings didn't have the best season last year (they finished 7-17), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.
Brandon Bush
| 03/21/26 vs Millbrook | 1 |
| 03/09/26 @ Wilmington Christian Academy | 1 |
| 03/06/26 vs Myers Park | 1 |
| 03/04/26 @ Swansboro | 1 |
| 03/03/26 vs New Bern | 1 |
Preston Smith and Brandon Bush did most of the damage at the plate: Smith went 2-for-3 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs, while Bush got on base in all four of his plate appearances with one home run, three runs, and one stolen base. Bush has become a key player for Hoggard: the team is 4-1 when he posts at least one home run, but 2-3 otherwise. Another player making a difference was Colin Kilcommons, who went 2-for-4 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run.
Hoggard always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .528. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Millbrook only posted an OBP of .300.
Laney came out on top against South Brunswick on Friday thanks in part to the team's impressive five-run first inning. The Buccaneers sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 5-4 victory over the Cougars. The win continues a trend for the Buccaneers in their matchups with the Cougars: they've now won five in a row.
Laney also got a great performance from Jesse Smith as he struck out seven batters over 5.1 innings while giving up just two earned runs off three hits (and only one walk). Smith has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than one walk in three consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Carston Wedemeyer was excellent, going 2-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one double. Mason Nance was another key player, going 1-for-2 with one double and one RBI.
Hoggard's victory bumped their record up to 6-4. As for Laney, their win bumped their record up to 7-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Hoggard has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Laney struggles in that department as they've been averaging 10.7 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.
