The Callaway Cavaliers will face off against the Shaw Raiders at 5:30 p.m. on Monday. The last five games Callaway has played have been within two runs, so don't be surprised if it's a close one.
On Friday, Callaway needed a bit of extra time to put away Whitefield Academy. They came out on top in a nail-biter against the WolfPack, sneaking past 11-10. The Cavaliers' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Jeremiah Staples was incredible, going 2-for-5 with four runs, one triple, and two RBI. Those RBI marked the first that he brought in this season. Another player making a difference was Blake Harrington, who scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-5.
Callaway kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in four consecutive matchups.
The home team had won the previous three meetings between Shaw and Sumter County, and Shaw kept the tradition alive. Everything went Shaw's way against Sumter County on Tuesday as Shaw made off with a 17-2 victory. The result was nothing new for the Raiders, who have now won three games by six runs or more so far this season.
Deshaun Mays was a standout: he scored three runs and stole three bases while getting on base in all three of his plate appearances. The dominant performance gave him a new career-high in stolen bases. The team also got some help courtesy of Kingsley Long, who got on base in all three of his plate appearances with one triple, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Callaway's win ended a five-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 2-4. Even worse, they were so close so many times: the losses came by an average of only 2.8 runs. As for Shaw, the victory got them back to even at 4-4.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Monday as neither team is afraid to steal. Callaway has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.7 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Shaw struggles in that department as they've been averaging 2.9 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Callaway came out on top in a nail-biter against Shaw in their previous meeting back in April of 2024, sneaking past 5-4. Does Callaway have another victory up their sleeve, or will Shaw turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
