After three games on the road, Jerome is heading back home. They will take on the Sugar-Salem Diggers at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Both teams come into the matchup bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Jerome has not done well against Fruitland recently (they were 0-3 in their previous three matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Friday. Jerome came out on top against Fruitland by a score of 10-7.
Tucker Volkers made a big impact no matter where he played. On the mound, he struck out six batters over 4.1 innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off three hits. Volkers was even better at the plate, going 2-for-5 with three stolen bases, four RBI, and two runs.
In other batting news, Brett Harrison was excellent, scoring two runs and stealing a base while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances.
Meanwhile, Sugar-Salem beat Vallivue 6-2 on Saturday. The victory was just what Sugar-Salem needed coming off of a 17-9 loss in their prior game.
Like Jerome, Sugar-Salem also got a great game from a two-way player: Dawson McInelly. He struck out eight batters over seven innings while giving up just two earned runs off three hits. McInelly has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive pitching appearances. McInelly was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing two bases while going 1-for-3.
McInelly wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Sam Chappell, who scored a run while going 1-for-2.
Jerome now has a winning record of 3-2. As for Sugar-Salem, they now have a winning record of 5-4.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both teams have some strikeout artists on the roster. Jerome has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Sugar-Salem struggles in that department as they've been averaging 6.8 per game. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Jerome suffered a grim 11-2 defeat to Sugar-Salem in their previous matchup back in April of 2023. Thankfully for Jerome, Kelton Garner (who pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
