Durham School of the Arts is 0-10 against South Granville since May of 2016 but things could change on Thursday. The Bulldogs will challenge the Vikings at 6:00 p.m. Durham School of the Arts is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.1 runs per game this season.
Durham School of the Arts is headed into Thursday's matchup looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their fourth straight game on Wednesday. They took a 5-2 hit to the loss column at the hands of River Mill.
Durham School of the Arts saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Vaughn Rogers, who scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-3. Mauricio Di Bona was another, scoring a run and stealing two bases while going 1-for-3.
Meanwhile, South Granville made easy work of Vance County on Tuesday and carried off a 19-3 victory. The result was nothing new for the Vikings, who have now won five contests by 13 runs or more so far this season.
Brooks Newman looked comfortable as he tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, South Granville got a massive performance out of Greyson Vacher, who scored three runs and stole three bases while getting on base in all three of his plate appearances. Vacher is becoming a predictor of the Vikings' success: when he posts at least two stolen bases the team is undefeated (and 3-7 when he doesn't). The team also got some help courtesy of Mason Wilkins, who scored two runs and stole three bases while going 2-for-3.
South Granville always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .600. They are a perfect 4-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
South Granville's win was their third straight at home, which pushed their record up to 6-7. The home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.0 run on average over those games. As for Durham School of the Arts, their defeat dropped their record down to 4-6.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Durham School of the Arts has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like South Granville struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Durham School of the Arts suffered a grim 14-0 defeat to South Granville when the teams last played back in March. Can the Bulldogs avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
