The Poplar Springs Atomics will challenge the Cottondale Hornets at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Poplar Springs is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.9 runs per game this season.
Poplar Springs will roll into the game after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up two runs on Thursday, then bounced right back against Bethlehem on Friday. The Atomics were the clear victors by a 13-3 margin over the Wildcats. The game snapped a strange streak: the last four times these teams have met, it?s been the away team that?s taken home the W.
Baron Hall
| 04/04/25 vs Bethlehem | 3 |
| 03/13/25 vs Malone | 2 |
| 03/03/25 vs Vernon | 2 |
| 04/29/24 vs Malone | 2 |
| 03/28/25 @ Ponce De Leon | 1 |
Baron Hall was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He struck out ten batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off five hits. He is becoming a predictor of Poplar Springs' success: when he allows at most one earned run the team is 4-2 (and 3-5 when he doesn't). Hall was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs and stealing three bases while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances. Those three stolen bases gave him a new career-high.
In other batting news, Brayson Blanton was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing five bases while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances. He has become a key player for Poplar Springs: the team is undefeated when he posts at least two runs, but 4-7 otherwise. Landen Gammons was another key player, scoring a run and stealing a base while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
Poplar Springs always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .706. They are 5-1 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Meanwhile, after soaring to 14 runs the game before, Cottondale was a bit more limited in their matchup on Thursday. They came up short against Madison County, falling 9-1.
Cottondale saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Conner Barton, who scored a run while going 2-for-4.
The win got Poplar Springs back to even at 7-7. As for Cottondale, they dropped their record down to 10-11 with the defeat, which was their third straight at home.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Tuesday as neither team is afraid to steal. Poplar Springs has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.5 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Cottondale struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 2.7 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Poplar Springs might still be hurting after the 12-2 loss they got from Cottondale in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Will the Atomics have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more baseball content.
