The Franklin Indians will head out to challenge the Western Tech & Environmental Science Wolverines at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Franklin is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.1 runs per game this season.
Franklin came out on top against Hereford on Monday thanks in part to the team's impressive four-run first inning. The Indians took their matchup against the Bulls 5-1. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Indians.
Scarlett Cornwell spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered a run (which was unearned) on three hits.
At the plate, Lanee Houser and Mia Cleveland did most of the damage at the plate: Houser got on base in three of her four plate appearances with two runs, while Cleveland went 1-for-3 with one triple and one run. Jada Lochary was another key player, going 1-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Western Tech & Environmental Science had already won five in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 12.8 runs) and they went ahead and made it six on Friday. They blew past the Vikings 13-2. The Wolverines might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won nine games by seven runs or more this season.
Ella Durham made a splash no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out nine batters over five innings while giving up just two earned runs off seven hits. Those nine strikeouts gave her a new career-high. She was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in all four of her plate appearances with one triple, one stolen base, and one run.
In other batting news, Western Tech & Environmental Science let Bailey Allen and Juliahna Thomas run wild. Allen went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, three runs, and one double, while Thomas got on base in all four of her plate appearances with one home run and three RBI. Thomas is on a roll when it comes to home runs, as she's now launched at least one in each of the last seven games she's played. Another player making a difference was Averie Talley, who got on base in all three of her plate appearances with one run and one RBI.
Western Tech & Environmental Science was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .389. They are 9-3 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Western Tech & Environmental Science pushed their record up to 9-7 with the win, which was their fourth straight at home. The home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 17.8 runs over those games. As for Franklin, the win got them back to even at 7-7.
Tuesday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Franklin has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .456. However, it's not like Western Tech & Environmental Science struggles in that department as they've averaged .569. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Franklin might still be hurting after the 18-8 defeat they got from Western Tech & Environmental Science when the teams last played on Tuesday. Can the Indians avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
