Livingston Academy is 2-8 against White County since April of 2022 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Thursday. The Wildcats will face off against the Warriors at 5:30 p.m. Livingston Academy is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.9 runs per game this season.
While Livingston Academy didn't have the best season last year (they finished 7-14), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. Their pitcher stepped up to hand Cumberland County an 18-0 shutout on Tuesday. The Wildcats haven't had any issues with the Jets recently, as the game was their seventh consecutive victory against them.
Calla Pierce was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in five consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 1-for-2.
In other batting news, Bailey Hutchison was a standout: she fired off two home runs and six RBI while going 2-for-3. Kendall Simpson was another key player, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI.
Livingston Academy lost a few balls and finished the game with three home runs. That's the most home runs they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, White County was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their third straight loss. They fell 5-2 to Upperman. Give some credit to the fans of both teams: the last four times they've met, the home team has come away the winner.
Mabry Taylor was a force to be reckoned with on the mound despite the final result: she tossed six innings while giving up just two earned (and three unearned) runs off six hits. Those hits marked the first that she allowed this season.
On the hitting side, White County saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Anna McCulley, who scored a run while going 2-for-3.
White County's defeat dropped their record down to 8-11. As for Livingston Academy, their record now sits at 6-3.
Livingston Academy's speedy runners might be the difference in Thursday's game. The Wildcats have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.7 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for White County, though, as they've been averaging only 0.9 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Livingston Academy continue to outrun the ball?
Livingston Academy came up short against White County in their previous meeting two weeks ago, falling 13-9. Can the Wildcats avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
