Firth is 0-5 against Malad since March of 2019 but things could change on Monday. The Cougars will host the Dragons at 4:00 p.m. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
It was a proper cat-fight when Firth faced off against West Jefferson on Thursday. The Cougars put the hurt on the Panthers with a sharp 21-8 victory. The win continues a trend for the Cougars in their matchups with the Panthers: they've now won eight in a row.
Reese Clayson was a standout: she went 4-for-5 with four stolen bases, four runs, and four RBI. That's the most stolen bases she has posted since back in March. Meg Leslie was another key player, going 3-for-4 with four stolen bases, five RBI, and two runs.
Meanwhile, after only two runs in their last matchup, Malad made sure to put some runs up on the board against Declo on Saturday. The Dragons blew past the Hornets 16-1.
Liddia Gonzalez made a big impact no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing three innings while giving up just one earned run off one hit. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 15 consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with one home run and three RBI.
In other batting news, Malad got a massive performance out of Sarah Toone, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. That home run marked the first that Toone has launched this season. Another player making a difference was Karlee Blaisdell, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with three runs, two doubles, and one RBI.
Malad kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 15 hits. They are a perfect 12-0 when they post 11 or more hits.
Firth's victory bumped their record up to 8-12. As for Malad, their win bumped their record up to 15-4.
Monday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Firth has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .442. However, it's not like Malad struggles in that department as they've averaged .497. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Firth might still be hurting after the 15-0 defeat they got from Malad in their previous matchup back in March. Will the Cougars have more luck at home instead of on the road? Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other softball content.
