The NCSSM: Durham Unicorns will venture away from home to square off against the Durham Academy Cavaliers at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday.
Franklin Academy hit NCSSM: Durham with a ten-run first inning on Tuesday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Unicorns came up short against the Patriots, falling 16-6. The Unicorns have struggled against the Patriots recently, as the game was their seventh consecutive lost matchup.
Meanwhile, Durham Academy came tearing into Friday's game with three straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 9 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They put the hurt on the Chargers with a sharp 14-2 win. Considering the Cavaliers have won three matchups by more than ten runs this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Stella Teis made a big impact no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over five innings while giving up just two earned runs off four hits (and only one walk). That's the most strikeouts she has posted since back in April of 2025. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with three RBI and two runs.
In other batting news, Charlotte Gunsch was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and two doubles. She continues to improve, besting her previous run total in each of the last three games she's played. Another player making a difference was Vera Ruth, who got on base in three of her four plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and one double.
Durham Academy kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. They are 5-2 when they post 11 or more hits.
NCSSM: Durham now has a losing record of 1-2. As for Durham Academy, the victory got them back to even at 5-5.
Everything went NCSSM: Durham's way against Durham Academy in their previous meeting back in March of 2023, as NCSSM: Durham made off with a 19-2 win. Will the Unicorns repeat their success, or do the Cavaliers have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.