The Gretna East Griffins are taking a road trip to take on the Waverly Vikings at 6:30 p.m. on Monday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Gretna East 3, Waverly 2.9) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Gretna East is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Nebraska's top teams: Elkhorn North, who was ranked 24th at the time (Gretna East was ranked 19th). The Griffins never let the Wolves get on the board and left with a 4-0 victory on Saturday. The win was familiar territory for the Griffins, who have now won three games in a row.
Nolan Green made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one hit in five consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
In other pitching news, Gretna East got a great performance from Austin Copeland as he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits over five innings pitched. Copeland has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in four consecutive appearances.
Green wasn't the only one making solid contact as four players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Kasen Brown, who went 1-for-2 with two runs and one stolen base. That's the most runs Brown has posted since back in March of 2024. Easton Leahy was another, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one RBI.
Meanwhile, Waverly hadn't done well against Norris recently (they were 1-8 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Friday. The Vikings sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 6-4 victory over the Titans. The win was nothing new for the Vikings as they're now sitting on three straight.
Brady Schieffer looked comfortable as he struck out six batters over two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits.
Gretna East pushed their record up to 14-9 with the victory, which was their fifth straight at home. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.8 runs on average over those games. As for Waverly, their record is now 20-7.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Gretna East has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Waverly struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.5 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Gretna East couldn't quite finish off Waverly when the teams last played back in April and fell 7-5. Can the Griffins avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
