The Stewarts Creek Red Hawks will face off against the Columbia Central Lions at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Each of these teams will be battling to keep a four-game winning streak alive.
On Friday, everything went Stewarts Creek's way against Ensworth as Stewarts Creek made off with an 8-2 victory.
Devin Conner looked comfortable as he pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits.
On the hitting side, Ben Bryant and Hudson Schmitz did most of the damage at the plate: Bryant went 1-for-2 with one triple, one run, and one RBI, while Schmitz went 2-for-3 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one double. That's the most hits Schmitz has posted since back in March of 2024. Gadiel Tello also deserves some recognition as he snagged his first stolen base of the season.
Meanwhile, Columbia Central earned a 9-6 win over Oakland on Friday.
Lane Sharp looked comfortable as he tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, he gave up only one walk, the fewest he's had since back in April of 2024.
Stewarts Creek's victory was their fifth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 6-4. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 8.2 runs over those games. As for Columbia Central, their win bumped their record up to 5-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Saturday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Stewarts Creek has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.5 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Columbia Central struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.3 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Everything went Stewarts Creek's way against Columbia Central when the teams last played back in April of 2022, as Stewarts Creek made off with a 10-0 victory. Does Stewarts Creek have another victory up their sleeve, or will Columbia Central turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
