The Valwood Valiants will face off against the Deerfield-Windsor Knights at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Valwood 2.7, Deerfield-Windsor 3.9) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Valwood is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Saturday. They came out on top in a nail-biter against Pinewood Christian, sneaking past 6-5. Give some credit to the fans of both teams: the last four times they've met, the home team has come away the winner.
Valwood let Will Greene and Joshua Skinner run wild. Greene went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs and one stolen base, while Skinner went 2-for-3 with two RBI and one double. Another player making a difference was Jayden Purvis, who went 2-for-3 with one RBI.
Meanwhile, Deerfield-Windsor made easy work of Frederica Academy on Saturday and carried off an 8-1 victory. The win made it back-to-back victories for Deerfield-Windsor.
Gage Tomlinson and Lane Sceals made a splash no matter where they played. Throwing, Tomlinson tossed four innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits. Meanwhile, Sceals pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. What's more, Tomlinson posted four strikeouts, the most he's had since back in April. At bat, Tomlinson went 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Sceals went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases and two runs.
In other batting news, Deerfield-Windsor got a massive performance out of David Hutchins, who went 3-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. That's the most hits Hutchins has posted since back in April. Collins Clark was another key player, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Deerfield-Windsor's win bumped their record up to 21-8. As for Valwood, their victory bumped their record up to 26-4.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Valwood has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Deerfield-Windsor struggles in that department as they've been averaging 6.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Valwood skirted past Deerfield-Windsor 4-2 in their previous matchup back in April. Do the Valiants have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Knights turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
