A feisty cat fight will be fought as Athens Drive Jaguars take on Millbrook Wildcats at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday. Athens Drive is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.4 runs per game this season.
Last Thursday, Athens Drive earned a 7-2 win over Enloe. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Jaguars.
Athens Drive got a great performance from Elliott Essic as he didn't allow a single earned run while striking out nine over six innings pitched.
On the hitting side, Paul Harrell was incredible, scoring two runs and stealing two bases while going 1-for-3. The team also got some help courtesy of Miguel Delgado, who scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in two of his four plate appearances.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Millbrook, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Wednesday. They put the hurt on Rolesville with a sharp 14-4 victory on Thursday. The result was nothing new for the Wildcats, who have now won six contests by six runs or more so far this season.
Connor Wright made a splash no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over six innings while giving up three earned (and one unearned) runs off five hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in four consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances. What's more, he posted three RBI, the most he's had since back in February.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Jack Strom, who scored four runs and stole a base while getting on base in all five of his plate appearances. Those four runs gave him a new career-high. Gavin Mosler also deserves some recognition as he hit his first doubles of the season.
Millbrook always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .553. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Athens Drive's record now sits at 10-4. As for Millbrook, their record now sits at 10-3.
Athens Drive came out on top in a nail-biter against Millbrook in their previous matchup back in March of 2020, sneaking past 1-0. Does Athens Drive have another victory up their sleeve, or will Millbrook turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
