vs
| 04/19/24 - Home | 1-3 L |
| 03/19/24 - Away | 4-2 W |
| 04/27/23 - Away | 7-1 W |
| 03/28/23 - Home | 1-2 L |
| 04/19/22 - Home | 14-5 W |
| + 5 more games |
Hoggard and Ashley are an even 5-5 against one another since March of 2019, but likely not for long. Hoggard will challenge Ashley at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Last Friday, Hoggard didn't have quite enough to beat Laney and fell 6-4. The Vikings have struggled against the Buccaneers recently, as the game was their third consecutive lost meeting.
Preston Smith put in work no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing 3.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one walk in four consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing a base while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances.
Smith wasn't the only one making solid contact as two players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Brock Adkins, who scored a run while going 1-for-2.
Meanwhile, Ashley put another one in the bag on Saturday to keep their perfect season alive. They were the clear victors by a 10-0 margin over Broughton. The result was nothing new for the Screaming Eagle, who have now won four matchups by seven runs or more so far this season.
Like Hoggard, Ashley also got a great game from a two-way player: Cane Mehling. Throwing, Mehling pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Will Hartzell didn't allow a single earned run over five innings pitched. What's more, he gave up only zero walks, the fewest he's had since back in May of 2024. At bat, Mehling went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI, while Hartzell scored a run while going 1-for-2. Hartzell also hit a double, marking his first of the season.
Ashley always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .529. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Broughton only posted an OBP of .346.
Ashley pushed their record up to 10-0 with the victory, which was their third straight on the road. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.0 runs over those games. As for Hoggard, they now have a losing record of 5-6.
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 8.3 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Ashley struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Hoggard couldn't quite finish off Ashley in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 and fell 3-1. Can Hoggard avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
