The Princeton Bulldogs will face off against the North Johnston Panthers at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Princeton is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.9 runs per game this season.
Princeton's pitching crew heads into the match hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Tuesday. They blew past Beddingfield 15-0. The Bulldogs haven't had any issues with the Bruins recently, as the game was their ninth consecutive victory against them.
Mary Rachel Uzzell was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Uzzell was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three RBI, one run, and one double.
Madison Baker
| 04/29/25 vs Beddingfield | 3 |
| 04/08/25 @ Goldsboro | 2 |
| 03/27/25 @ Beddingfield | 1 |
| 03/07/25 vs Southern Wayne | 1 |
In other batting news, Madison Baker was incredible, getting on base in all three of her plate appearances with three RBI, two runs, and one stolen base. Those three RBI gave her a new career-high. Macy Boone was another key player, going 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and two runs.
Princeton was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .550. They are 9-3 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Meanwhile, North Johnston fought the good fight in their extra-innings contest against Eastern Wayne on Tuesday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Warriors by a score of 4-3. The Panthers' loss continues a trend for the team, making it four in a row.
Victoria Sasser spent all eight innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and three unearned) runs on eight hits and racked up eight Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Camden Ford was cooking despite her team's loss, going 2-for-3 with two runs, two doubles, and one stolen base.
North Johnston's defeat was their first in the conference, dropping their conference record down to 8-1 and their overall record down to 8-7. As for Princeton, their win bumped their record up to 10-8.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Princeton has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like North Johnston struggles in that department as they've been averaging 6.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Princeton might still be hurting after the 17-7 loss they got from North Johnston in their previous meeting on April 1st. Will the Bulldogs have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
