The Peru Tigers will take on the Rochester Zebras at 5:00 p.m. on Monday. Peru has given up an average of 7.1 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
It was a proper cat-fight when Peru took on South Bend Riley on Friday. The Tigers came up short against the Wildcats, falling 18-3.
Lilly Steele was cooking despite her team's loss, going 2-for-3 with three RBI and two doubles. The team also got some help courtesy of Molly Mann, who went 1-for-2 with two runs and one double.
Meanwhile, Rochester entered their tilt with LaVille on Friday with three consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with four. Their pitchers stepped up to hand the Lancers a 15-0 shutout. Considering the Zebras have won nine matches by more than five runs this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Emma Mathias and Brailyn Hunter made a splash no matter where they played. On the mound, Mathias pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Hunter struck out six batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, Mathias posted two strikeouts, the most she's had over her last two games. At bat, Mathias got on base in all four of her plate appearances with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI, while Hunter got on base in all three of her plate appearances with one home run, two runs, and two RBI.
In other batting news, Aubrey Miller was a standout: she went a perfect 1-for-1 with two runs and one RBI. Another player making a difference was Gabby Medina, who went 1-for-2 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Rochester was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .600. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their batting average total in four consecutive contests.
Rochester's victory was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 15-4. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.8 runs on average over those games. As for Peru, their loss dropped their record down to 8-7.
Monday's match will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Peru hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .332. However, it's not like Rochester struggles in that department as they've averaged .388. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Peru came up short against Rochester in their previous matchup back in May of 2024, falling 5-0. Can the Tigers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
