The Jo Byrns Red Devils will face off against the Springfield Yellow Jackets at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Jo Byrns will be strutting in after a win while Springfield will be coming in after a loss.
Jo Byrns came out on top against Pleasant View Christian on Friday thanks in part to the team's impressive eight-run fifth inning. The Red Devils blew past the Warriors 11-1. The high-scoring performance was a welcome turnaround for the Red Devils' hitters, who had struggled in the games prior.
Adam Riley made a splash no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out seven batters over 2.1 innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and not a single walk). Riley was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and one double.
In other batting news, Clay Woody and Mason Arms did most of the damage at the plate: Woody went a perfect 3-for-3 with three stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI, while Arms went 1-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base. Calen Dennis was another key player, going 2-for-3 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run.
Jo Byrns was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .379. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Pleasant View Christian only posted a batting average of .111.
Meanwhile, Springfield lost 12-2 to Goodpasture Christian on Tuesday. The loss put an end to the Yellow Jackets' undefeated start to the season.
Springfield saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Hunter Goodfred, who went 1-for-2 with one double and one RBI.
Having lost for the first time this season, Springfield fell to 2-1. As for Jo Byrns, their victory (their first of the season) made their record 1-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Saturday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Jo Byrns has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Springfield struggles in that department as they've been averaging 9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Jo Byrns might still be hurting after the 14-0 defeat they got from Springfield in their previous matchup last Tuesday. Can the Red Devils avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
