The Payette Pirates will face off against the New Plymouth Pilgrims at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty run totals in their previous games.
Payette took a ten-run defeat the last time they faced off against Marsing, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. Payette beat Marsing on Monday by the very same score they won with in their prior game: 10-8. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Pirates.
Maddy Brown was incredible, scoring two runs and stealing three bases while going 2-for-4. Lucia Walker was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 1-for-3.
Meanwhile, New Plymouth came tearing into Wednesday's match with five straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 5.4 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They blew past the Wolverines 19-2. The Pilgrims' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Makiah Weideman and LeeAnn Hartzell made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, Weideman pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Hartzell pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, she gave up only one walk, the fewest she's had since back in April of 2024. At bat, Weideman went 3-for-4 with one triple, one run, and one RBI, while Hartzell scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Averi Albisu, who scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances. She also launched a home run, marking her first of the season. Another player making a difference was Elsea Shaw, who scored three runs and stole a base while going 1-for-4.
New Plymouth was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .400. They are a perfect 5-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
New Plymouth's victory bumped their record up to 6-2. As for Payette, the win got them back to even at 3-3.
Payette suffered a grim 19-2 defeat to New Plymouth in their previous matchup back in March of 2024. Can Payette avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
