The Mize Bulldogs will challenge the Raleigh Lions at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Mize is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.7 runs per game this season.
Mize came out on top against Scott Central on Saturday thanks in part to the team's impressive eight-run second inning. The Bulldogs were the clear victors by a 15-5 margin over the Rebels. Considering the Bulldogs have won 12 matchups by more than nine runs this season, Saturday's blowout was nothing new.
Mize let AK Easterling and Lila Gordon run wild. Easterling went 2-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and one triple, while Gordon got on base in three of her five plate appearances with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base. That's the most RBI Easterling has posted since back in March. The team also got some help courtesy of Lizanna Waters, who went 1-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Meanwhile, with a playoff win on the line, Raleigh rose to the challenge on Friday. They walked away with a 9-6 victory over the Bobcats. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Lions.
Kallee McWilliams was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she pitched seven innings while giving up five earned (and one unearned) runs off six hits. McWilliams was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base.
In other batting news, Haylee Buffington was incredible, going 2-for-4 with one home run and two RBI. Lydia Bryant was another key player, going 2-for-3 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run.
Raleigh was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .375. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Bogue Chitto only posted a batting average of .241.
Mize is on a roll lately: they've won four of their last five contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 18-10 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.8 runs over those games. As for Raleigh, their victory bumped their record up to 12-17-1.
Everything went Mize's way against Raleigh in their previous meeting back in March, as Mize made off with a 12-0 win. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Bulldogs since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
