The Newark Norsemen will venture away from home to square off against the Coal City Coalers at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Newark is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.3 runs per game this season.
Newark can't be too worried about heading out to take on Coal City: they just beat St. Bede at home, who had been dominant on their own field up to that point. The Norsemen narrowly escaped with a win as the team sidled past the Bruins 8-6.
Dottie Wood spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered four earned (and two unearned) runs on six hits and racked up nine Ks.
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Rylie Carlson, who went 3-for-4 with three runs, one triple, and one double. That's the most runs she has posted since back in April.
Newark was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .452. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as St. Bede only posted a batting average of .207.
Meanwhile, Coal City got the win against Reed-Custer on Tuesday by a conclusive 13-4. The result was nothing new for the Coalers, who have now won 11 matchups by six runs or more so far this season.
Masyn Kuder made a big impact no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run over four innings pitched. Kuder was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with three RBI, two doubles, and one run. Those doubles marked the first that she has hit this season.
In other batting news, Coal City got a massive performance out of Addison Hodgen, who went 2-for-3 with three RBI, two runs, and two doubles. Those doubles were Hodgen's first of the season. Kaycee Graf was another key player, going 1-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and one triple.
Coal City has been performing well recently as they've won nine of their last 11 contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 17-7 record this season. As for Newark, their victory ended a five-game drought on the road and puts them at 11-14-2.
