Southeast Raleigh is 0-7 against Fuquay - Varina since March of 2022 but things could change on Monday. The Bulldogs will venture away from home to face off against the Bengals at 4:30 p.m. Southeast Raleigh has given up an average of 19 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Southeast Raleigh is headed into Monday's contest looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their ninth straight game on Monday. They lost 19-4 to Hillside. That's two games in a row now that the Bulldogs have lost by exactly 15 runs.
Knael Wright-Brown was cooking despite her team's loss, getting on base in both of her plate appearances with three stolen bases and one run.
Meanwhile, Fuquay - Varina's hitters rose to the challenge against an Eagles pitching crew that boasted an average of only 3.68 runs allowed on Thursday. The Bengals were the clear victors by a 14-3 margin over Eastern Alamance. The Bengals might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won six games by seven runs or more this season.
Paige Alexander made a big impact no matter where she played. On the mound, she pitched seven innings while giving up three earned runs off six hits. Alexander was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with two runs, two RBI, and one double. The dominant performance also gave her a new career-high in hits (two).
In other batting news, Julie Selig was a standout: she went 3-for-5 with one home run, three runs, and one double. Those three runs gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Jaycie Old, who got on base in four of her five plate appearances with three runs, two RBI, and one double.
Fuquay - Varina was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .447. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their batting average total in three consecutive matchups.
Fuquay - Varina's record now sits at 9-5. As for Southeast Raleigh, their loss dropped their record down to 2-13.
Monday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Southeast Raleigh has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .497. However, it's not like Fuquay - Varina struggles in that department as they've averaged .447. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Southeast Raleigh suffered a grim 20-1 defeat to Fuquay - Varina in their previous meeting back in March. Can the Bulldogs avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.