Preview: Kearns Cougars vs. Taylorsville Warriors
Kearns is on a seven-game streak of home losses (dating back to last season), Taylorsville a three-game streak of away losses (dating back to last season), but someone's luck is about to change. The Kearns Cougars will take on the Taylorsville Warriors at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. Both teams come into the contest bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Kearns can now show off three landslide victories after their most recent match on Tuesday. They put the hurt on Granger with a sharp 21-2 win. While fans of Kearns might be used to big wins, the 19-run margin marked the team's biggest victory yet this season.
Kallie Stocking and Sky Aguirre made a splash no matter where they played. Throwing, Stocking tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (she also only allowed one walk). Meanwhile, Aguirre pitched three innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off four hits (she also didn't allow any walks). Stocking has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive pitching appearances. At bat, Stocking scored three runs and stole two bases while going 4-for-5, while Aguirre went 2-for-4 with five RBI and three runs.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Stephani Serna, who scored three runs and stole a base while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances. Maliyah Solomon was another key contributor, scoring two runs and stealing two bases while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances.
Meanwhile, Taylorsville narrowly escaped with a win as the team sidled past West Jordan 8-7. The victory was just what Taylorsville needed coming off of a 20-5 defeat in their prior matchup.
Aleya Wegner spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned (and five unearned) runs on ten hits and racked up 11 Ks.
On the hitting side, Hannah Brockman was incredible, firing off two home runs, three runs, and three RBI while going 2-for-3. The team also got some help courtesy of Janelle Zapata, who scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-4.
Kearns' win bumped their record up to 5-1. As for Taylorsville, their victory ended a four-game drought at home and bumped them up to 4-4.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Thursday as neither team is afraid to steal. Kearns has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 5.2 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Taylorsville struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3.6 per game. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Kearns suffered a grim 15-1 defeat to Taylorsville in their previous matchup back in April of 2023. Can Kearns avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
