The Union Mine Diamondbacks will venture away from home to square off against the Argonaut Mustangs at 3:00 p.m. on Friday. Union Mine is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.4 runs per game this season.
Thursday just wasn't the day for Union Mine's offense. They took a 3-0 hit to the loss column at the hands of Amador on Thursday. The Diamondbacks have struggled against the Buffaloes recently, as the game was their fourth consecutive lost matchup.
Meanwhile, Argonaut had already won four in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 3 runs) and they went ahead and made it five on Thursday. They never let the Warriors get on the board and left with a 14-0 victory. The result was nothing new for the Mustangs, who have now won eight matchups by six runs or more so far this season.
Kendall Baker was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit over five innings pitched. She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in five consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three RBI and two doubles. That's the most doubles she has posted since back in February.
In other batting news, Lyla Baldridge was incredible, going a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and one triple. Those four hits gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Kailey Carney, who went 2-for-4 with two triples, three RBI, and one run.
Argonaut always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .529. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Galt only posted an OBP of .222.
Argonaut's record is now 17-7. As for Union Mine, their defeat dropped their record down to 9-9.
Friday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Union Mine has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .443. However, it's not like Argonaut struggles in that department as they've averaged .435. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Union Mine couldn't quite finish off Argonaut in their previous matchup back in March and fell 6-4. Can the Diamondbacks avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
