Baker is 2-8 against Northview since March of 2020 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Thursday. The Gators will head out to take on the Chiefs at 6:00 p.m. Baker is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.1 runs per game this season.
For whatever reason, it's the away team that's had the advantage when Baker and Freeport meet (three straight games heading into this one) and that held true again on Tuesday. The Gators took a 14-10 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Bulldogs.
Zoe Moncada made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and scored three runs and stole a base while going 2-for-4. She also hit a double, marking her first of the season. Justyce Johns was another key player, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with two RBI.
Meanwhile, Northview unfortunately witnessed the end of their four-game winning streak on Tuesday. They fell just short of Jay by a score of 5-3. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest defeat the Chiefs have suffered since March 21st.
Jamison Gilman and Mikayla McAnally were huge while hitting and pitching even without the win. Throwing, Gilman tossed four innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off one hit. Meanwhile, McAnally pitched two innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs but no hits. That's the fewest hits she has allowed since back in March. At bat, Gilman went 1-for-3 with three stolen bases, while McAnally scored a run while going 1-for-3.
In other batting news, Avery Stuckey was cooking despite her team's loss, going 2-for-4 with one home run and two runs.
Northview's loss was their first in the district, dropping their district record down to 2-1 and their overall record down to 15-6. As for Baker, their defeat dropped their record down to 9-7.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Thursday as neither team is afraid to steal. Baker has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.7 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Northview struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3.3 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Baker might still be hurting after the 12-0 loss they got from Northview in their previous meeting back in March. Can the Gators avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
