The Columbia Tigers will challenge the Baker County Wildcats at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.
Columbia is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Tuesday. They never let Riverside get on the board and left with a 21-0 victory. The game marked the Tigers' most dominant win of the season.
Josie Raulerson was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, she posted three strikeouts, the most she's had since back in February. She was also big at the plate, going 1-for-2 with one home run and two RBI.
In other batting news, Sakiya Merriex was incredible, getting on base in all four of her plate appearances with three runs, one triple, and one stolen base. Alexis Allen also deserves some recognition as she got her first hits of the season.
Columbia was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .696. They are a perfect 6-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Meanwhile, Baker County's rock-solid pitcher showed up for the team's fourth consecutive shutout on Tuesday. They didn't even let ED White on the board, marking the Wildcats' second-straight 15-0 shutout. The Wildcats might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won seven matchups by six runs or more this season.
Like Columbia, Baker County also got a great game from a two-way player: Abigail Mercer. On the mound, she struck out eight batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and not a single walk). Mercer was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with one home run and three RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Joselyn Halle, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs, one triple, and one RBI. Aubrey Worthington was another key player, going 1-for-2 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Baker County has been performing well recently as they've won 11 of their last 13 contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 18-4 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.7 runs on average over those games. As for Columbia, the win made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 14-10.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Columbia has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Baker County struggles in that department as they've been averaging 6.9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Columbia suffered a grim 10-0 defeat to Baker County in their previous matchup two weeks ago. Can the Tigers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
