Cloverleaf hasn't had much luck against Coventry recently, but that could start to change on Tuesday. The Colts are taking a road trip to take on the Comets at 5:00 p.m. Cloverleaf is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.9 runs per game this season.
Springfield hit Cloverleaf with a six-run second inning on Monday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Colts might be feeling deja-vu: they lost 11-8 to the Spartans, which was the same score (and result) they got the week prior.
Kennedy Bailey spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered four earned (and five unearned) runs on nine hits and racked up seven Ks.
At the plate, Cloverleaf saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Alyson Croft, who went 2-for-3 with one run and one double.
Meanwhile, Coventry came tearing into Monday's matchup with five straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 9.6 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They blew past the Rockets 26-2. That looming 26-2 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Comets yet this season.
Addisyn Hahn tossed a big game, striking out six batters over five innings while giving up just two earned runs off six hits.
On the hitting side, Rylee Hillyard and Ava Burkhart did most of the damage at the plate: Hillyard went 5-for-6 with one home run, seven RBI, and three runs, while Burkhart went a perfect 5-for-5 with six runs, three doubles, and three RBI. Hillyard also snagged a stolen base, marking her first of the season. Isabella Smith was another key player, getting on base in four of her six plate appearances with three runs, four RBI, and one stolen base.
Coventry always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .673. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Coventry's record now sits at 7-2. As for Cloverleaf, their loss dropped their record down to 7-5.
Tuesday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Cloverleaf hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .381. However, it's not like Coventry struggles in that department as they've averaged .445. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Cloverleaf might still be hurting after the 8-1 defeat they got from Coventry when the teams last played on April 2nd. Can the Colts avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
