The Melba Mustangs will take on the Parma Panthers at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Melba is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8 runs per game this season.
Melba came out on top against Marsing on Friday thanks in part to the team's impressive six-run fourth inning. The Mustangs sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 9-7 victory over the Huskies. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Mustangs have posted against the Huskies since May 1, 2023.
Kali Adams
| 05/02/25 @ Marsing | 7 |
| 04/29/25 vs Glenns Ferry | 5 |
| 04/25/25 @ Marsing | 9 |
| 04/23/25 vs Parma | 5 |
| 04/21/25 vs Vision | 7 |
| + 2 more games |
Kali Adams spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered five earned (and two unearned) runs on nine hits and racked up seven Ks. She has been consistent: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in seven consecutive appearances.
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Kodi Adams, who got on base in three of her four plate appearances with two RBI and one double. Rori Husted also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.
Meanwhile, Parma entered their tilt with Vision on Tuesday with 13 consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with 14. They were the clear victors by a 21-2 margin over Vision. The Panthers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 14 games by nine runs or more this season.
Kinlea Cole made a big impact no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching two innings while giving up just one earned run off one hit. Cole was even better at the plate, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with three stolen bases, four RBI, and two runs. Those four RBI gave her a new career-high.
In other batting news, Zoey Heffelfinger and Lakota Leppert did most of the damage at the plate: Heffelfinger got on base in four of her five plate appearances with one home run, four runs, and one stolen base, while Leppert went 3-for-4 with four runs, three doubles, and one stolen base. That's the most runs Leppert has posted since back in March. Another player making a difference was Sawyer Watkins, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases and one run.
Parma kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 16 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least ten hits in four consecutive matches.
Parma pushed their record up to 21-2 with the victory, which was their eighth straight on the road. The road wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.4 runs on average over those games. As for Melba, their victory ended a four-game drought on the road and puts them at 7-12.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Melba has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Parma struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Melba suffered a grim 16-5 defeat to Parma in their previous matchup last Wednesday. Can the Mustangs avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
