The Orem Tigers will venture away from home to face off against the Payson Lions at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. Orem is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.3 runs per game this season.
Orem managed to slip by Uintah the last time these teams faced off, but didn't have those same answers this time around. The Tigers came up short against the Utes on Tuesday, falling 8-0. While getting shut out isn't ideal, the Tigers haven't been shut out since back in March.
Kiley Hoshnic spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered seven earned (and one unearned) runs on seven hits and racked up seven Ks.
Meanwhile, Payson had already won two in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 5.5 runs) and they went ahead and made it three on Tuesday. They were the clear victors by a 17-2 margin over the Bulldogs. The Lions might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won nine matchups by six runs or more this season.
Ella Watkins looked comfortable as she pitched three innings while giving up just two earned runs off three hits.
On the hitting side, Payson got a massive performance out of Paisley Beckstead, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with six RBI, two runs, and one stolen base. The team also got some help courtesy of Lexie Harmer, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases, three runs, and one double.
Payson always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .720. The last time their OBP was this high was was before the start of last season.
Payson's win was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 16-4. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 12.8 runs over those games. As for Orem, their defeat ended a three-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 14-9.
Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Thursday. Orem hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 1.2 home runs per game. However, it's not like Payson struggles in that department as they've been averaging 1.3 home runs. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
