The East Columbus Gators are taking a road trip to challenge the South View Tigers at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. East Columbus is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.7 runs per game this season.
East Columbus took a 12-run loss the last time they faced off against Whiteville, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Gators came out on top in a nail-biter against the Wolfpack on Tuesday, sneaking past 4-3. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Gators have posted against the Wolfpack since May 4, 2021.
Khari Bowen
| 03/12/25 @ Pender | 4 |
| 03/15/25 vs High Point Baptist Academy | 3 |
| 02/26/25 vs Red Springs | 3 |
| 04/01/25 vs Whiteville | 2 |
| 03/14/25 vs Pender | 1 |
| + 1 more games |
Khari Bowen was incredible, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-3. He is becoming a predictor of East Columbus' success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 3-4 when he doesn't).
Meanwhile, South View entered their tilt with Douglas Byrd on Tuesday with three consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with four. Their pitchers stepped up to hand the Eagles a 21-0 shutout. The Tigers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won eight matchups by seven runs or more this season.
Trey Ray and Isaiah Alford were a major factor no matter where they played. On the mound, Ray pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Alford pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances. At the plate, Ray went 1-for-2 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs, while Alford scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances. That's the most RBI Ray has posted since back in March.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on David Ramsey, who scored three runs and stole five bases while going 4-for-4. That's the most runs he has posted since back in April of 2024. Malachi Jones was another key player, scoring three runs and stealing three bases while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
South View hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. The team has now struck out at least four strikeouts batters in three consecutive contests.
South View pushed their record up to 9-6 with the win, which was their fourth straight on the road. The road victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.0 run on average over those games. As for East Columbus, with the win, they broke their three-game losing streak and moved their record to 7-4.
