Lee Williams is preparing for their first region matchup of the season on Tuesday. They will be playing in front of their home fans against the Coconino Panthers at 3:45 p.m. The two teams each escaped (but just barely!) with wins against their previous opponents.
Lee Williams was handed a ten-run defeat in their previous outing, but that didn't affect their clutch gene on Monday. They skirted past Dysart 7-5. The victory was a breath of fresh air for the Volunteers as it put an end to their three-game losing streak.
Payton Loucks
Payton Loucks looked comfortable as he tossed three innings while giving up just one earned run off one hit. He also tossed a walk, which is notable because Lee Williams is 2-1 when he allows at most one walk, but 1-3 otherwise.
On the hitting side, Dylan Norbert was excellent, scoring a run and stealing Three bases. while going 1-for-4. That's the most stolen bases he has posted since back in March of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Izaiah Orozco, who scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-4.
Meanwhile, Coconino posted their closest win since April 9, 2024 on Friday. They came out on top in a nail-biter against Empire, sneaking past 9-8. The victory was some much needed relief for the Panthers as it spelled an end to their four-game losing streak.
The team relied heavily on Jake Hanley, who scored two runs while going 2-for-3. He also hit a double, marking his first of the season. Another player making a difference was Ezra Merrell, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two RBI.
Lee Williams picked up their first road win, bumping their record up to 3-4. As for Coconino, their victory bumped their record up to 3-6-1.
Lee Williams' speedy runners might be the difference in Tuesday's game. Lee Williams has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.1 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Coconino, though, as they've been averaging only 0.7 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Lee Williams continue to outrun the ball?
Lee Williams couldn't quite get it done against Coconino when the teams last played back in April of 2024 as they fell 11-6. Will Lee Williams have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other baseball content.
