The Stevens Point Panthers will take on the Marshfield Tigers at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Stevens Point is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.1 runs per game this season.
Stevens Point came out on top against Wausau West on Tuesday thanks in part to the team's impressive four-run second inning. The Panthers were the clear victors by a 7-1 margin over the Warriors. The Panthers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won ten matchups by six runs or more this season.
Reanna Canfield spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned run on seven hits. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than one walk in 16 consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Addi Peskie, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Another player making a difference was Sophia Abundiz, who went 2-for-3 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Marshfield won against Eau Claire North on Friday with four runs and they decided to stick to that run total again on Tuesday. The Tigers skirted past D.C. Everest 4-3. Winning may never get old, but the Tigers sure are getting used to it with their third in a row.
Marshfield also let their pitcher toss all seven innings and she was also dialed-in: Molly Fox gave up only one earned (and two unearned) runs on nine hits.
At the plate, Madison Kraus was excellent, going 2-for-3 with one home run and two runs.
Stevens Point is on a roll lately: they've won six of their last seven games. That's provided a nice bump to their 18-6 record this season. The victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.4 runs on average over those games. As for Marshfield, their win bumped their record up to 12-8.
Stevens Point's speedy runners might be the difference in Thursday's contest. The Panthers have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.8 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Marshfield, though, as they've been averaging only 0.8 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Stevens Point continue to outrun the ball?
Stevens Point beat Marshfield 6-1 in their previous meeting back in April. Will the Panthers repeat their success, or do the Tigers have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
