Buchholz is 8-2 against Keystone Heights since February of 2016, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Thursday. The Buchholz Bobcats will be playing at home against the Keystone Heights Indians at 6:00 p.m. The two teams have allowed few runs on average, (Buchholz: 3.4, Keystone Heights: 2.6) so any runs scored will be well earned.
In what's become a running theme this season, Buchholz gave their fans yet another huge victory on Tuesday. They put the hurt on Columbia with a sharp 13-3 win. With that victory, Buchholz brought their scoring average up to 6.4 runs per game.
JJ Gardner made a big impact no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over five innings while giving up just two earned runs off two hits. Gardner has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive pitching appearances. Gardner was also big at the plate, scoring a run while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Conner Brown, who scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances. Hudson Sapp was another key contributor, scoring three runs and stealing three bases.
Meanwhile, it may have taken eight innings to finish the job, but Keystone Heights ultimately got the result they hoped for on Tuesday. They walked away with an 8-4 win over Middleburg. Eight seems to be a good number for Keystone Heights as the team scooped up a victory with the same number of runs in their previous game.
Gage Barry tossed a big game, striking out seven batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits.
At the plate, Ty Mitzel and Kenneth Guy did most of the damage at the plate: Mitzel scored two runs and stole a base while going 1-for-2, while Guy scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-3. The team also got some help courtesy of Austin Smith, who scored a run while going 2-for-4.
Buchholz's win bumped their record up to 9-5. As for Keystone Heights, they pushed their record up to 12-2 with that victory, which was their sixth straight on the road.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both teams have some strikeout artists on the roster. Buchholz has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 9.5 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Keystone Heights struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.5. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Buchholz took their win against Keystone Heights when the teams last played back in April of 2021 by a conclusive 9-2. Does Buchholz have another victory up their sleeve, or will Keystone Heights turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
