Spartans
| 05/21/25 @ Bethel | 1 |
| 05/19/25 vs Lakeview | 6 |
| 05/16/25 vs Nonnewaug | 5 |
| 05/15/25 vs Platt | 2 |
| 05/14/25 vs Gilbert | 12 |
| + 15 more games |
Shepaug Valley and Nonnewaug are an even 5-5 against one another since April of 2021, but likely not for long. The Spartans will look to defend their home field on Wednesday against the Chiefs at 3:45 p.m. Shepaug Valley is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.8 runs per game this season.
Last Wednesday, Shepaug Valley came up short against Bethel and fell 4-1. The defeat continues a trend for the Spartans in their meetings with the Wildcats: they've now lost four in a row.
For whatever reason, it's the away team that's had the advantage when Nonnewaug and Northwestern Regional meet (six straight games heading into this one) and that held true again on Tuesday. The Chiefs put the hurt on the Highlanders with a sharp 11-2 victory. Considering the Chiefs have won 11 matchups by more than five runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.
Nonnewaug let Scott Viveros and Owen Hustek run wild. Viveros went 2-for-4 with two runs, two RBI, and one double, while Hustek went 1-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. Hustek is becoming a predictor of Nonnewaug's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 6-7 when he doesn't). R.J. Barksdale was another key player, going 2-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
They weren't the only ones making solid contact: Nonnewaug kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. They are a perfect 8-0 when they post 11 or more hits.
Shepaug Valley's loss dropped their record down to 16-4. As for Nonnewaug, their win bumped their record up to 14-7.
Both the two teams just can't seem to miss. Shepaug Valley has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9 hits per game. However, it's not like Nonnewaug struggles in that department as they've been averaging only 5.5 hits. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Shepaug Valley was able to grind out a solid victory over Nonnewaug in their previous matchup two weeks ago, winning 5-0. Will the Spartans repeat their success, or do the Chiefs have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
