North Schuylkill hasn't had much luck against Blue Mountain recently, but that could start to change on Tuesday. The Spartans will head out to take on the Eagles at 6:30 p.m. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
North Schuylkill had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 11-run drubbing they dealt Pottsville two weeks ago. The Spartans blew past the Crimson Tide 12-1. Winning may never get old, but the Spartans sure are getting used to it with their third in a row.
Brigid Flynn made a splash no matter where she played. She pitched three innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances. She was even better at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two triples, two RBI, and one run.
In other pitching news, Olivia Jones looked comfortable as she pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits.
Back at the plate, Monica Selgrade and Kylie Meskunas did most of the damage at the plate: Selgrade went 1-for-3 with three RBI, two runs, and one double, while Meskunas went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs and one RBI. That double marked the first that Selgrade has hit this season. Another player making a difference was Maria Monahan, who got on base in two of her three plate appearances with two runs and one RBI.
North Schuylkill kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits every time they've taken the field this season.
Meanwhile, Blue Mountain came tearing into Monday's matchup with three straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 11.7 runs), and they left with even more momentum. Everything went their way against the Crimson Tide as they made off with a 12-2 win.
Emily Leonard spent all six innings played on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and one unearned) run on five hits and racked up nine Ks.
At the plate, Blue Mountain got a massive performance out of Carla Boyer, who went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, three runs, and three RBI. Those two stolen bases gave Boyer a new career-high. Avery Hudock was another key player, going a perfect 3-for-3 with three stolen bases and three runs.
North Schuylkill's record is now 5-1. As for Blue Mountain, their record now sits at 10-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. North Schuylkill has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Blue Mountain struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 7.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
North Schuylkill might still be hurting after the 11-3 defeat they got from Blue Mountain when the teams last played back in March. Can the Spartans avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
