We've got a battle between Tigers coming up. Both teams are coming into the matchup red-hot, with Nettleton sitting on 16 straight wins and Hatley on five.
Nettleton gave up the first runs on Thursday, but they didn't let that get them down. They came out on top against Saltillo by a score of 9-5. The game was the first time Nettleton has beaten Saltillo on their field since March 5, 2018.
Bailey Payne made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. She has been consistent : she hasn't given up more than one earned run in eight consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, scoring two runs while going 2-for-3.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Josie Smith, who went 2-for-4 with one home run and two RBI. That's the most hits she has posted since March 4th.
Nettleton hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Saltillo struck out six times.
Hatley not only won on Thursday, but they posted their biggest win since March 7th. They blew past Walnut 7-1. The Tigers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won five contests by six runs or more this season.
Emily Hill spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned run on four hits.
On the hitting side, Kinsley Echols was excellent, scoring a run while going 1-for-3. Another player making a difference was Abbye Smith, who scored two runs while going 2-for-3.
Nettleton's victory was their 12th straight on the road dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 18-1-1. Those wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 8.3 runs over those games. As for Hatley, their victory bumped their record up to 11-5.
Nettleton came up short against Hatley when the teams last played back in April of 2024, falling 7-4. Will Nettleton 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.
