The Jefferson Cougars will challenge the University Hawks at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Jefferson 3, University 2.4) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Jefferson is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They had just enough and edged out St. Albans 6-5.
Becca Munslow made a big impact no matter where she played. She pitched three innings while giving up just one earned (and three unearned) runs off three hits. Munslow was also big at the plate, getting on base in three of her five plate appearances with one stolen base and one double.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Graclyn Dodson, who got on base in four of her five plate appearances with three runs and one stolen base. Another player making a difference was Ainsley Phillips, who went 2-for-4 with one triple, two RBI, and one run.
Meanwhile, University faced Cabell Midland in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Friday. The Hawks fell just short of the Knights by a score of 6-5. The Hawks' loss signaled the end of their four-game winning streak.
Like Jefferson, University also got a great game from a two-way player: Maddie Campbell. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing three innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off three hits. Campbell was also stellar in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with one home run, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Campbell wasn't the only one making solid contact as four players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Olivia Masoner, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with one RBI. Kelsey Park was another, going 1-for-3 with two runs and one double.
Jefferson is on a roll lately: they've won six of their last seven matches. That's provided a nice bump to their 23-5 record this season. The victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 8.4 runs over those games. As for University, their defeat dropped their record down to 25-6-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Saturday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Jefferson has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like University struggles in that department as they've been averaging 9.4 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Jefferson came up short against University when the teams last played on Friday, falling 11-8. Can the Cougars avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
