Middleburg hasn't had much luck against Clay recently, but that could start to change on Friday. The Broncos will welcome the Blue Devils at 7:00 p.m. Middleburg is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.7 runs per game this season.
Thursday just wasn't the day for Middleburg's offense. They fell just short of Palatka by a score of 2-0 on Thursday. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest loss the Broncos have suffered since March 13, 2025.
Maddox Lee
| 02/13/26 @ Fleming Island | 4 |
| 02/24/26 vs Stanton | 3 |
| 02/19/26 @ Ridgeview | 3 |
| 02/20/26 vs Ridgeview | 2 |
| 03/05/26 @ Palatka | 1 |
Maddox Lee was a force to be reckoned with on the mound despite the final result: he pitched five innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off three hits. He is becoming a predictor of Middleburg's success: when he allows at most two earned runs the team is 5-1 (and 1-2 when he doesn't).
Meanwhile, Clay can bid farewell to their three-game losing streak thanks to their game on Thursday. They narrowly escaped with a win as the team sidled past Tocoi Creek 5-4.
Clay let Rylan McMahan and Conner McGuckin run wild. McMahan went 2-for-3 with one home run, while McGuckin went 1-for-3 with one home run. That home run was McMahan's first of the season. Another player making a difference was Clayton Hickey, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with one stolen base and two RBI.
Clay lost a few balls and finished the game with two home runs. That's the most home runs they've posted since back in February.
Middleburg's defeat dropped their record down to 6-3. As for Clay, their victory bumped their record up to 5-6.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Middleburg has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Clay struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.5 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Middleburg couldn't quite get it done against Clay in their previous meeting back in March of 2025 as they fell 9-4. Will the Broncos have more luck at home instead of on the road? Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other baseball content.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
