White Pine is 0-10 against Needles since May of 2024 but things could change on Friday. The Bobcats will face off against the Mustangs at 12:30 p.m. The last three games White Pine has played have been within two runs, so don't be surprised if it's a close one.
White Pine is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Thursday. They had just enough and edged out Lincoln County 5-4. The win continues a trend for the Bobcats in their matchups with the Lynx: they've now won six in a row.
Paige Hayward spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered four runs (all of which were unearned) on four hits.
At the plate, Camden Johnson was excellent, going 1-for-3 with one home run and two RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Brenley Skadburg, who got on base in all three of her plate appearances with two runs and one stolen base.
Meanwhile, Needles made easy work of Lake Mead Christian Academy on Thursday and carried off a 17-3 victory. The result was nothing new for the Mustangs, who have now won ten games by six runs or more so far this season.
Summer Scott made a big impact no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching five innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off two hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in eight consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in two of her four plate appearances with three runs and one stolen base. That's the most runs she has posted since back in March.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Audrina Bullchild, who got on base in all four of her plate appearances with one home run, two stolen bases, and three runs. Those three runs gave her a new career-high. Liv Diaz also deserves some recognition as she hit her first double of the season.
Needles kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 5.3 hits per game earlier this season, but in their last 15 matchups they've averaged 9.4.
The win got Needles back to even at 13-13. As for White Pine, their record now sits at 16-6.
Both the two teams just can't seem to miss. White Pine has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9.9 hits per game. However, it's not like Needles struggles in that department as they've been averaging only 4.9 hits. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
White Pine couldn't quite finish off Needles in their previous matchup back in April and fell 16-14. Can the Bobcats avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
