The Hernando Tigers will challenge the Clinton Arrows at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Both teams are coming into the match red-hot, with Hernando sitting on six straight wins and Clinton on three.
On Friday, Hernando sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 10-9 victory over Pontotoc.
Josh Pe?a
| 04/18/25 vs Pontotoc | 4 |
| 03/29/25 vs Collinsville | 3 |
| 03/11/25 vs Starkville | 3 |
| 03/22/25 @ Tipton-Rosemark Academy | 2 |
| 03/18/25 vs Horn Lake | 2 |
The team relied heavily on Josh Pe?a, who went 4-for-5 with two stolen bases, two doubles, and two RBI. Those four hits gave him a new career-high. Donavan Dickson was another key player, going 2-for-4 with one stolen base and two RBI.
They weren't the only ones making solid contact: Hernando kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 15 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, Clinton had just enough and edged out Brookhaven 6-5 on Thursday.
Jack Grove looked comfortable as he pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Ethan Dodson was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs and one RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Josef Walker, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with one run.
Clinton pushed their record up to 19-7 with the win, which was their seventh straight at home. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.0 runs over those games. As for Hernando, their win bumped their record up to 19-8-1.
Friday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Hernando has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .438. However, it's not like Clinton struggles in that department as they've averaged .462. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Hernando skirted past Clinton 2-0 when the teams last played back in May of 2017. Do the Tigers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Arrows turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
