The Kettle Run Cougars will challenge the Brentsville District Tigers at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Both come into the match bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Kettle Run was handed a eight-run loss in their previous outing, but that didn't affect their clutch gene on Friday. They had just enough and edged out Skyline 6-5. The win was some much needed relief for the Cougars as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.
Emerson Golden made a big impact no matter where she played. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run over seven innings pitched. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in four consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with two runs and one triple.
In other batting news, Leah Trible was incredible, going 2-for-4 with two triples, two RBI, and one run. Those two triples gave her a new career-high. Risley Hoskins was another key player, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with two RBI and one run.
Kettle Run hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post two or more strikeouts.
Meanwhile, Brentsville District came tearing into Friday's game with three straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 12 runs), and they left with even more momentum. Everything went their way against the Wildcats as they made off with an 11-4 victory. The result was nothing new for the Tigers, who have now won six contests by six runs or more so far this season.
Austyn Blankenship looked comfortable as she struck out six batters over 3.2 innings while giving up just one earned run off one hit (and only one walk).
On the hitting side, Ava Garza and McKenzie Kolesar did most of the damage at the plate: Garza got on base in four of her five plate appearances with three RBI, one triple, and one stolen base, while Kolesar got on base in four of her five plate appearances with two stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI. That triple marked the first that Garza has hit this season. The team also got some help courtesy of Natalie Marvin, who got on base in four of her five plate appearances with two runs and one stolen base.
Brentsville District's win was their fourth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 12-5. Those road victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.5 runs on average over those games. As for Kettle Run, their win bumped their record up to 8-6.
Kettle Run took their victory against Brentsville District when the teams last played back in April by a conclusive 16-6 score. Do the Cougars have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Tigers turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
