The McBee Panthers are taking a road trip to challenge the Central Eagles at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The two teams are strolling into their games after big wins in their previous games.
McBee is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They were the clear victors by an 18-1 margin over Great Falls on Tuesday. The victory was some much needed relief for the Panthers as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.
Hayden Watson was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Watson was also big at the plate, going 1-for-2 with two runs and one RBI.
In other batting news, McBee got a massive performance out of Sydney Matthews, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. That stolen base was Matthews' first of the season. Ashton Raley was another key player, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases, three runs, and three RBI.
McBee always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .840. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, it may have taken eight innings to finish the job, but Central ultimately got the result they hoped for on Monday. They were the clear victors by a 12-6 margin over McBee. The game was the first time the Eagles have beaten the Panthers on their field since March 21, 2019.
Like McBee, Central also got a great game from a two-way player: Blaire Butler. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching eight innings while giving up just one earned (and five unearned) runs off five hits. Butler has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with one home run and two RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on McKenna Lowery, who got on base in all four of her plate appearances with two stolen bases and three runs. Another player making a difference was Jasmine McMillan, who went 1-for-4 with one home run and two RBI.
McBee's record is now 4-6. As for Central, their record now sits at an identical 4-6.
Central's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: McBee hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .371. It's a different story for Central, though, as they've only averaged .233. Will they be able to contain McBee's hitters?
McBee suffered a grim 12-6 defeat to Central when the teams last played on Monday. Can the Panthers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
