University Prep is 0-5 against Durham since April of 2015 but things could change on Tuesday. The Panthers will be playing at home against the Trojans at 4:00 p.m. University Prep is coming into the contest hot, having won their last six games.
On Tuesday, University Prep made easy work of Yreka and carried off a 13-4 win. Considering the Panthers have won 11 matchups by more than five runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.
Hailey Pebley made a splash no matter where she played. On the mound, she pitched seven innings while giving up four earned runs off ten hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 25 consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with two RBI and one run. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in March.
In other batting news, Abigail Lewis was a standout: she went 2-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and two RBI. That's the most runs she has posted since back in April of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Brianna Schuette, who went 1-for-3 with two runs, two RBI, and one double.
Durham came out on top against Winters on Monday thanks in part to the team's impressive four-run sixth inning. The Trojans took their game against the Warriors 7-2.
Like University Prep, Durham also got a great game from a two-way player: Sadie Sjolund. She struck out ten batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off four hits. Sjolund was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
In other batting news, Ashley Spence was incredible, going 3-for-4 with four RBI, one run, and one double. Another player making a difference was Trinity Kolu, who went 2-for-5 with two runs and one triple.
Durham was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .429. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Winters only posted a batting average of .174.
Durham has been performing well recently as they've won 11 of their last 13 contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 18-7-1 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.7 runs on average over those games. As for University Prep, they pushed their record up to 15-10-2 with the win, which was their third straight on the road.
Tuesday's match will be a test for both teams' pitchers. University Prep hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .318. However, it's not like Durham struggles in that department as they've averaged .316. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
University Prep couldn't quite get it done against Durham in their previous meeting back in March of 2017 as they fell 9-4. Can the Panthers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
