The McEwen Warriors will face off against the Montgomery Central Indians at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (McEwen 2.8, Montgomery Central 1.8) so any runs scored will be well earned.
McEwen took a loss when they played away from home on Saturday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Tuesday. They won by a run and slipped past Perry County 5-4. While the Warriors didn't have the best season last year (they finished 2-5), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.
Ava Lastovka was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and not a single walk). She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one earned run any time she's pitched this season. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one triple. That triple was her first of the season.
In other batting news, Kylie Ange was incredible, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one home run and two RBI. That home run marked the first that she launched this season. Another player making a difference was Laraney Morford, who scored a run while going 1-for-3.
Meanwhile, Montgomery Central entered their tilt with Sycamore on Tuesday with four consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with five. They never let the War Eagles get on the board and left with a 5-0 win.
The team relied heavily on Ashlee Phillips, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with one triple, two RBI, and one run. Those four hits gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Sydney Borowik, who scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-3.
McEwen has been performing well recently as they've won four of their last five games. That's provided a nice bump to their 7-2 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.2 runs on average over those games. As for Montgomery Central, their win bumped their record up to 5-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Wednesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. McEwen has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 11.1 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Montgomery Central struggles in that department as they've been averaging 6.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
McEwen skirted past Montgomery Central 1-0 when the teams last played back in March. Do the Warriors have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Indians turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
