Happy Valley and Hampton are an even 4-4 against one another since March of 2018, but likely not for long. The Happy Valley Warriors will venture away from home to take on the Hampton Bulldogs at 5:30 a.m. on Monday. Happy Valley is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.8 runs per game this season.
Having struggled with three defeats in a row, Happy Valley turned things around against Cloudland on Friday. Everything went their way against the Highlanders as they made off with a 17-7 win. The Warriors not only won on Friday, but they posted their biggest win since April 25, 2024.
Ty Johnson made a splash while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing 2.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. The dominant performance also gave him a new career-high in strikeouts (five). He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing Two bases. Those stolen bases were his first of the season.
Lane Parker
| 03/14/25 vs Cloudland | 4 |
| 03/10/25 @ West Greene | 2 |
| 03/04/25 vs Gate City | 2 |
| 02/27/25 @ Cherokee | 2 |
| 03/11/25 vs West Greene | 1 |
In other batting news, Lane Parker was incredible, going a perfect 4-for-4 with three stolen bases, three doubles, and two runs. The dominant performance gave him a new career-high in hits. Another player making a difference was Grady Goulds, who scored two runs and stole Four bases. while going 2-for-3.
Happy Valley always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .595. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Cloudland only posted an OBP of .400.
For whatever reason, it's the away team that's had the advantage when Hampton and Mitchell meet (three straight games heading into this one) and that held true again on Thursday. Hampton came up short against Mitchell, falling 15-2. Having soared to a lofty 15 runs in the game before, the Bulldogs couldn't push the score so high this time.
Hampton saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Elisha Henson, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with one double and one RBI. Jayden Kuhn was another, scoring a run while going 1-for-2.
Happy Valley picked up their first home victory, bumping their record up to 2-3-1. As for Hampton, they now have a losing record of 2-3.
Monday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Happy Valley has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .437. However, it's not like Hampton struggles in that department as they've averaged .480. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Happy Valley couldn't quite get it done against Hampton in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 as they fell 7-4. Can Happy Valley avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
