Pleasant Grove is a perfect 10-0 against Fairfield since April of 2019 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Saturday. The Spartans will host the Tigers at 10:00 a.m. Pleasant Grove is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8 runs per game this season.
Having struggled with four losses in a row, Pleasant Grove turned things around against Indian Springs on Friday. They put the hurt on the Student with a sharp 13-3 victory. The high-flying hitting performance was a huge turnaround for the Spartans considering their two-run performance the contest before.
Pheonix Lewis was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Pleasant Grove is 2-1 when he allows at most three earned runs, but 7-13 otherwise. Lewis was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing two bases while going 1-for-1. That's the most stolen bases he has posted since back in March.
Jordan Walker
| 04/11/25 vs Indian Springs | 5 |
| 04/03/25 @ Indian Springs | 3 |
| 03/06/25 vs Bessemer City | 3 |
| 04/08/25 @ Oak Grove | 1 |
| 04/05/25 vs Wilson | 1 |
| + 2 more games |
In other batting news, Timothy Blue and Jordan Walker did most of the damage at the plate: Blue scored four runs and stole three bases while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances, while Walker went a perfect 4-for-4 with five RBI and one run. Walker has become a key player for Pleasant Grove: the team is undefeated when he posts at least three RBI, but 6-14 otherwise. The team also got some help courtesy of Zion Barney, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 1-for-2.
Pleasant Grove always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .633. They are a perfect 8-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Meanwhile, Fairfield was not able to break out of their rough patch on Thursday as the team picked up their fourth straight defeat. They came up short against Indian Springs, falling 17-9.
Like Pleasant Grove, Fairfield also got a great game from a two-way player: Justin Murray. On the mound, he pitched 3.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off five hits. Murray was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
In other batting news, Jalen Kidd was cooking despite his team's loss, scoring two runs and stealing two bases while going 2-for-3. Antwon Landrum was another key player, going 2-for-4 with one stolen base and two RBI.
Pleasant Grove's win bumped their record up to 9-14. As for Fairfield, their loss dropped their record down to 8-11.
Saturday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Pleasant Grove has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .478. However, it's not like Fairfield struggles in that department as they've averaged .482. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Pleasant Grove beat Fairfield 14-9 in their previous matchup back in March. Do the Spartans have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Tigers turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
