Hertford County hasn't had much luck against Northeastern recently, but that could start to change on Friday. The Bears will head out to face off against the Eagles at 6:00 p.m. Hertford County will aim to continue their three-game streak of scoring more runs each matchup than the last.
Hertford County fought the good fight in their extra-innings contest against Northeast Academy on Wednesday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Eagles by a score of 15-14. Even if the Bears couldn't come away with the victory, the high-scoring effort was a great turnaround for their hitters, which had struggled int the games prior.
Dylan Barmer put in work while hitting and pitching. He pitched three innings while giving up just two earned runs off three hits. That's the fewest hits he has allowed since back in March. He was also big at the plate, going 1-for-4 with two stolen bases and three runs.
In other batting news, Tre'Vyahn Thorne was cooking despite his team's loss, getting on base in all five of his plate appearances with one home run, three runs, and four RBI. Kellen Whitby was another key player, getting on base in two of his six plate appearances with three stolen bases and two runs.
Northeastern came out on top against Hertford County on Tuesday thanks in part to the team's impressive four-run third inning. The Eagles took their game against the Bears 7-2. The win continues a trend for the Eagles in their matchups with the Bears: they've now won six in a row.
Like Hertford County, Northeastern also got a great game from a two-way player: Peyton Paris. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only one hit while striking out 16 over seven innings pitched. Paris is becoming a predictor of Northeastern's success: when he posts at least ten strikeouts the team is 2-1 (and 1-7 when he doesn't). Paris was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with three stolen bases, one run, and one RBI. He has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last three times he's played.
In other batting news, Michael Everett was incredible, going 3-for-4 with four stolen bases, one double, and one RBI. Those three hits gave him a new career-high. Miles Everett also deserves some recognition as he hit his first double of the season.
Hertford County's defeat dropped their record down to 2-13. As for Northeastern, their victory was their first in the conference, bumping their conference record up to 1-4 and their overall record up to 3-8.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Hertford County has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Northeastern struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.4 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Hertford County came up short against Northeastern in their previous matchup on Tuesday, falling 7-2. Can the Bears avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
