The Ponaganset Chieftains will square off against the Chariho Chargers at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Ponaganset has given up an average of 8 runs per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Ponaganset fought the good fight in their extra-innings game against Smithfield on Wednesday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They came up short against the Sentinels, falling 14-6. The loss continues a trend for the Chieftains in their meetings with the Sentinels: they've now lost four in a row.
Maia Salvo made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, two runs, and one stolen base. Another player making a difference was Jillian Baris, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with three runs and one double.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Chariho). They never let St. Mary Academy-Bay View get on the board and left with a 19-0 win on Tuesday. The result was nothing new for the Chargers, who have now won nine matches by six runs or more so far this season.
Adriana Jeannenot made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in nine consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going a perfect 2-for-2 with three runs and two RBI.
In other pitching news, Gabby Ricci looked comfortable as she pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than one walk in four consecutive appearances.
Back at the plate, Chariho got a massive performance out of Kaelyn Comerford, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with five RBI, two runs, and one double. Those five RBI gave Comerford a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Anna Tretton, who went 2-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and one triple.
Chariho was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .524. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as St. Mary Academy-Bay View only posted a batting average of .100.
Chariho has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won seven of their last eight contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 11-5 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.9 runs over those games. As for Ponaganset, their defeat dropped their record down to 5-10.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Ponaganset has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Chariho struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 9.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Ponaganset came up short against Chariho in their previous meeting back in April, falling 8-3. Will the Chieftains have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
