Carterville and Massac County are an even 5-5 against one another since May of 2018, but likely not for long. The Lions will be playing in front of their home fans against the Patriots at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Carterville will be looking to extend their current 13-game winning streak.
Massac County's hitters are going to have their work cut out for them on Friday: Carterville hadn't allowed a single run the last five times they've hit the field. The Lions never let Vienna get on the board and left with an 11-0 victory on Wednesday. The Lions might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 14 matches by six runs or more this season.
Taryn Ford made a big impact no matter where she played. She tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two hits in three consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 1-for-2 with one run and one double.
Masyn Kries
| 04/23/25 @ Vienna | 5 |
| 04/14/25 @ Massac County | 2 |
| 04/12/25 vs Carbondale | 4 |
| 04/07/25 vs Herrin | 3 |
| 03/28/25 vs McCracken County | 3 |
| 03/25/25 vs Carmi-White County | 6 |
In other pitching news, Masyn Kries looked comfortable as she tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. What's more, she posted five strikeouts, the most she's had since back in March.
Back at the plate, Colbie Bennett was excellent, getting on base in all three of her plate appearances with two runs and one stolen base.
Carterville hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. The team has now struck out at least five batters in nine consecutive contests.
Massac County had taken Benton down for three straight games at home, but that winning streak came to an end on Thursday. The Patriots fell 7-4 to the Rangers.
Natalie Evans made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went a perfect 2-for-2 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run. Riley Baumgart was another key player, going 3-for-4 with one double and one RBI.
Carterville's win was their fifth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 17-2. The road victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 0.4 runs on average over those games. As for Massac County, they have traveled a rocky road recently, having lost five of their last six games. That's put a noticeable dent in their 4-10 record this season.
Massac County's hitters will have their work cut out for them on Friday. Carterville has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 10.3 strikeouts per game. It's a different story for Massac County, though, as they've been averaging only 2.9 strikeouts. Will Carterville keep running through batters, or will the Patriots buck the trend?
Everything went Carterville's way against Massac County when the teams last played last Monday, as Carterville made off with a 12-2 win. Do the Lions have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Patriots turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
