Claiborne is 2-8 against Cherokee since May of 2022 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Tuesday. The Bulldogs will host the Chiefs at 6:00 p.m. The two teams are strolling into their matches after big wins in their previous games.
Claiborne will roll into the game after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up two runs on Tuesday, then bounced right back against Lynn Camp on Monday. The Bulldogs were the clear victors by an 18-3 margin over the Wildcats. Considering the Bulldogs have won seven contests by more than nine runs this season, Monday's blowout was nothing new.
Garrett Keiter was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and not a single walk). Claiborne is 3-1 when Keiter allows two or fewer hits, but 7-9 otherwise. Keiter was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring three runs and stealing five bases while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances.
Noah Burke
| 04/14/25 @ Lynn Camp | 6 |
| 03/21/25 vs Thomas Walker | 5 |
| 03/07/25 vs Hancock County | 3 |
| 04/04/25 vs Cordia | 2 |
| 03/28/25 @ Campbell County | 2 |
In other batting news, Noah Burke and Sam Wilson did most of the damage at the plate: Burke went 3-for-4 with six RBI, two stolen bases, and two runs, while Wilson scored four runs and stole four bases while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances. Those six RBI gave Burke a new career-high. Emery Keiter was another key player, scoring three runs and stealing two bases while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
Claiborne always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .639. They are a perfect 7-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Meanwhile, Cherokee never let their opponents score on Monday. They put the hurt on Volunteer with a sharp 21-0 victory. The win continues a trend for the Chiefs in their matchups with the Falcons: they've now won four in a row.
Like Claiborne, Cherokee also got a great game from a two-way player: Gage Adkins. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run over five innings pitched. Adkins has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up a single earned run in four consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with two RBI.
In other batting news, Porter Owen was incredible, scoring four runs while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances. Another player making a difference was Nocona Wiliams, who went 1-for-3 with four RBI, two runs, and one stolen base.
Claiborne's victory ended a four-game drought on the road and puts them at 10-10. As for Cherokee, their win bumped their record up to 10-15.
Claiborne suffered a grim 22-0 defeat to Cherokee in their previous meeting back in March. Can the Bulldogs avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
