Softball Preview: Pitman Pride vs. Modesto Panthers
The Pitman Pride are on the road again on Tuesday to play the Modesto Panthers at 4:00 p.m. Pitman is strutting in with some hitting muscle, as they've averaged 6.7 runs per game this season.
Pitman was handed a six-point loss in their previous outing, but they didn't let that bad energy affect their game against Lathrop on Saturday. Pitman narrowly escaped with a victory as the squad sidled past Lathrop 6-4. The win was just what Pitman needed coming off of a 10-4 defeat in their prior matchup.
Jillian Baylard spent all seven innings played on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and one unearned) runs on seven hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive pitching appearances.
On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Rylee Reeves, who went 2-for-4 with a triple, two RBI, and a run. Ella Underwood was another key contributor, going 2-for-4 with a triple, a run, and a double.
Meanwhile, Modesto was not able to break out of their rough patch last Thursday as the team picked up their third straight loss. They fell just short of Downey by a score of 2-1.
Modesto saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Nichole Aguirre, who went 2-for-3 with a triple.
Even though they lost, Modesto hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Downey struck out seven times.
Pitman's victory bumped their record up to 6-7. As for Modesto, their defeat dropped their record down to 4-3.
Tuesday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Pitman has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .432. However, it's not like Modesto struggles in that department as they've averaged .434. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Pitman suffered a grim 16-2 defeat to Modesto in their previous meeting back in March. A big factor in that loss was the dominant performance of Modesto's Angelica Arellano, who struck out ten batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off three hits. Now that Pitman knows the damage she can cause, will they be able to stop her this time? There's only one way to find out.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
