For the first time this season, Purvis will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup. They will head out to challenge the Stone Tomcats at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Purvis is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.5 runs per game this season.
Purvis will roll into the contest after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up one run on Tuesday, then bounced right back against Long Beach on Friday. The Tornadoes put the hurt on the Bearcats with a sharp 10-4 victory.
Tyce Shepherd
| 03/13/26 @ Long Beach | 3 |
| 02/28/26 vs Bay | 2 |
| 02/24/26 vs Lumberton | 2 |
| 02/14/26 @ Harrison Central | 2 |
| 05/13/25 @ Sumrall | 2 |
Tyce Shepherd was incredible, going 3-for-4 with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. Those three runs gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Beau Flatt, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Stone came tearing into Saturday's game with four straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 3 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They walked away with a 4-1 win over the Bearcats. While the Tomcats didn't have the best season last year (they finished 11-18), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.
Kellan Burge made a splash no matter where he played. He tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Burge was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with one home run and two RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Brax Batson, who went 1-for-2 with one home run and two RBI.
Purvis' record is now 9-3. As for Stone, their record now sits at 9-4.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Purvis has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Stone struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.2 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Everything went Purvis' way against Stone in their previous meeting back in May of 2023, as Purvis made off with a 14-2 victory. Will the Tornadoes repeat their success, or do the Tomcats have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
