The North Central Wolfpack will head out to face off against the Clarkston Bantams at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. The squads are rolling into the game with opposing streaks: North Central has struggled recently with five losses in a row, while Clarkston will arrive with four straight wins.
On Thursday, North Central came up short against Deer Park and fell 9-6.
Giancarlo Lentes stepped up to lead a balanced group of hitters: he went 2-for-4 with three stolen bases and three runs. Beckham Ferguson was another key player, going 1-for-3 with one stolen base and one run.
Meanwhile, Clarkston made easy work of North Central on Monday and carried off a 15-4 victory. The Bantams might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won eight games by seven runs or more this season.
Jacob Stewart made a splash while hitting and pitching. He tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in four consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with four runs and one stolen base. Those four runs gave him a new career-high.
In other batting news, Tucker Green was a standout: he got on base in four of his five plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. He is becoming a predictor of Clarkston's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 6-1 (and 3-6 when he doesn't). Another player making a difference was Morgan Bunch, who got on base in all four of his plate appearances with two runs, one double, and one RBI.
Clarkston was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .400. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .400 or higher in four consecutive matchups.
North Central's defeat dropped their record down to 4-12. As for Clarkston, their record is now 9-7.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Friday as neither team is afraid to steal. North Central has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.7 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Clarkston struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 4.8 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
North Central might still be hurting after the 15-4 loss they got from Clarkston in their previous matchup on Monday. Can the Wolfpack avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
