James Monroe is preparing for their first region matchup of the season on Wednesday. They will venture away from home to take on the PikeView Panthers at 5:30 p.m. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.
For whatever reason, it's the away team that's had the advantage when James Monroe and Graham meet (three straight games heading into this one) and that held true again on Tuesday. The Mavericks blew past the G-Men 19-9. The Mavericks' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Peighton Griffith and Chloe Bert did most of the damage at the plate: Griffith went 4-for-6 with five RBI, three doubles, and two runs, while Bert scored three runs while going 4-for-4. Bert also brought in three RBI, marking her first of the season. Peyton Street was another key player, scoring two runs while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances.
They weren't the only ones working in the hit department: James Monroe kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 18 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, it was a proper cat-fight when PikeView challenged Summers County on Tuesday. The Panthers' pitcher stepped up to hand the Bobcats a 23-0 shutout. Considering the Panthers have won four matchups by more than ten runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.
Shelby Maddox made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and not a single walk). She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in 11 consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, scoring four runs while going 3-for-3. Those four runs gave her a new career-high.
In other batting news, Bella Delida was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing a base while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances. Those three runs gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Zoey Tupper, who scored two runs and stole a base.
The win made it two in a row for PikeView and bumps their season record up to 5-7. The victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered a grand total of 0 runs in those games. As for James Monroe, the win got them back to even at 2-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Wednesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. James Monroe has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like PikeView struggles in that department as they've been averaging 9.4 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
James Monroe suffered a grim 8-0 defeat to PikeView when the teams last played back in April of 2019. Can the Mavericks avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
