The Valley Central Vikings will challenge the Goshen Central Gladiators at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this contest.
Valley Central blew Roosevelt out of the water the last time the pair played, but on Monday Roosevelt got their revenge. The Vikings fell just short of the Presidents by a score of 2-0. The Vikings' loss signaled the end of their four-game winning streak.
Valley Central got a good showing from Conor Kelly, who struck out nine batters over four innings while giving up just two earned runs off three hits.
At the plate, Valley Central saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Kellen Pliler, who went 1-for-2 with one stolen base.
Meanwhile, Goshen Central might've scored the first runs on Monday, but it was Kingston who claimed the real prize. The Gladiators took a 7-3 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Tigers.
Stephen Kovacs was cooking despite his team's loss, going 2-for-4 with one home run, two runs, and one stolen base. He is becoming a predictor of Goshen Central's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 4-2 (and 4-8 when he doesn't).
Goshen Central's defeat dropped their record down to 8-10. As for Valley Central, their loss dropped their record down to 7-9.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Valley Central has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Goshen Central struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 6.7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Valley Central suffered a grim 7-1 defeat to Goshen Central when the teams last played back in April. Will the Vikings have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more baseball content.
