The Cheraw Braves will take on the Bridges Prep Buccaneers on Thursday. Cheraw is coming into the game hot, having won their last four games.
Cheraw is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Tuesday. They came out on top in a nail-biter against Academic Magnet, sneaking past 9-8. Nine seems to be a good number for the Braves as the team scooped up a victory with the same number of runs in their previous game.
Anthony Strong
| 04/29/26 vs Andrew Jackson | 6 |
| 04/03/26 vs Central | 5 |
| 04/24/26 vs Trinity Collegiate | 4 |
| 03/27/26 @ Buford | 4 |
| 04/27/26 @ Andrew Jackson | 2 |
| + 2 more games |
Anthony Strong made a splash no matter where he played. On the mound, he struck out seven batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit (and only one walk). Cheraw is 3-1 when Strong allows one or fewer hits, but 8-14 otherwise. Strong was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with one run and one double.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Nick Gordon, who went 2-for-4 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in April. Another player making a difference was Easton Quick, who went 1-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Cheraw kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in five consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Bridges Prep, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Wednesday. They were the clear victors by a 21-0 margin over Mullins on Tuesday. The Buccaneers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 12 contests by six runs or more this season.
Like Cheraw, Bridges Prep also got a great game from a two-way player: James Williams. On the mound, Williams tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Wesley Brown tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Williams has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in five consecutive appearances. At the plate, Williams got on base in all three of his plate appearances with one stolen base and one run, while Brown went a perfect 2-for-2 with six RBI and one run.
In other batting news, Denver Jones was excellent, going a perfect 2-for-2 with three RBI, two runs, and one triple. That triple marked the first that he has hit this season. Ashton Smith was another key player, going a perfect 1-for-1 with one home run and two RBI.
Cheraw's record is now 11-15. As for Bridges Prep, their record now sits at 20-4.
