Neuse Charter is 2-8 against Lakewood since May of 2021 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Monday. The Cougars will take on the Leopards at 6:00 p.m. The two teams were dealt some close losses in their previous games and are determined not to let this one get away.
Neuse Charter came into this matchup off a tough ten-run loss on Tuesday. This time they kept things ultra-competitive, but unfortunately the final result was the same. They fell just short of NCSSM: Durham by a score of 6-4 on Thursday. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest defeat the Cougars have suffered since April 12, 2024.
Neuse Charter saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Connor Phillips, who went 2-for-3 with one run. Hayden Jones was another, going 2-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Lakewood was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their fifth straight loss. They were two runs away from ending the streak, but they lost a 10-8 heartbreaker at the hands of Pender.
Reed Ammons was cooking despite his team's loss, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with three stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. He has become a key player for Lakewood: the team is 2-1 when he posts at least two runs, but 5-12 otherwise. The team also got some help courtesy of Aden Norton, who went 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI.
Neuse Charter is on a three-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 4-13. As for Lakewood, their record now sits at 7-13.
Lakewood's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Neuse Charter has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .441. It's a different story for Lakewood, though, as they've only averaged .333. Will they be able to contain Neuse Charter's hitters?
Neuse Charter beat Lakewood 9-6 when the teams last played last Tuesday. Do the Cougars have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Leopards turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
