The Braxton County Eagles will head out to challenge the Tyler Knights at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Braxton County has given up an average of 8.8 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Braxton County fought the good fight in their extra-innings game against Calhoun on Monday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell 13-10 to the Red Devils. Surprisingly, this marked the Eagles' fifth straight game in which the away team has come away the victor.
Logan Baldwin put in work no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching 2.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off three hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with four RBI, two runs, and one stolen base.
Baldwin wasn't the only one making solid contact as six players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Luke Kelly, who went 4-for-5 with four stolen bases, three runs, and one double. Kelly continues to improve, besting his previous run total in each of the last three games he's played. Braeden Godfrey also deserves some recognition as he hit his first double of the season.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Tyler). They put the hurt on Beallsville with a sharp 22-3 win on Monday. With that victory, the Knights brought their scoring average up to 6.4 runs per game.
Like Braxton County, Tyler also got a great game from a two-way player: Brayden Neff. On the mound, Neff tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Gabe Jackson tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, he posted three strikeouts, the most he's had since back in March. At bat, Neff went a perfect 3-for-3 with six stolen bases and four runs, while Jackson got on base in all four of his plate appearances with one home run, four stolen bases, and three runs. Jackson is becoming a predictor of Tyler's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 5-10 when he doesn't).
In other batting news, Tyler let Landon Boggs and Colby Nichols run wild. Boggs went a perfect 2-for-2 with five RBI, one run, and one double, while Nichols went 2-for-3 with one home run, two runs, and one stolen base. Those five RBI gave Boggs a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Isaac Jackson, who went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases and two runs.
Tyler always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .703. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
The win made it two in a row for Tyler and bumps their season record up to 10-10. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered a grand total of 5 runs in those games. As for Braxton County, they dropped their record down to 4-14 with the defeat, which was their eighth straight at home.
Braxton County couldn't quite get it done against Tyler in their previous meeting back in May of 2022 as they fell 4-0. Can the Eagles avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
