The Pickford Panthers are taking a road trip to face off against the Brimley Bays at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Pickford will come into the contest with an undefeated record on the line.
If Pickford beats Brimley with 15 runs on Saturday, it's going to be the squad's new lucky number: they've won their past two games with that exact score. The Panthers never let Newberry get on the board and left with a 15-0 victory on Monday. The Panthers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won ten matchups by six runs or more this season.
Carter Rye was a major factor no matter where he played. He struck out six batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and only one walk). He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with three stolen bases and one run.
Gunner Bennin
| 05/12/25 @ Newberry | 6 |
| 05/03/25 vs Heston Academy | 3 |
| 05/03/25 @ Rudyard | 3 |
| 05/02/25 @ Posen | 3 |
| 04/17/25 @ Boyne Falls | 2 |
In other batting news, Gunner Bennin was incredible, firing off two home runs and six RBI while going 2-for-3. Those six RBI gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Eli MacDonald, who got on base in all three of his plate appearances with four stolen bases and three runs.
Pickford was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .632. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Newberry only posted a batting average of .000.
Meanwhile, Brimley had to endure a four-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. They put the hurt on Alanson with a sharp 15-0 win on Thursday.
Like Pickford, Brimley also got a great game from a two-way player: Scott Bowen. On the mound, he struck out seven batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit (and not a single walk). Bowen also tossed no walks, which is notable because Brimley is 2-1 when he allows at most one walk, but 1-8 otherwise. Bowen was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with one stolen base and one run. That stolen base marked the first that he has snagged this season.
In other pitching news, Darren Johnson looked comfortable as he pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits.
Back at the plate, the team relied heavily on Trey Lynn, who went 2-for-3 with one home run, six stolen bases, and three runs. He is becoming a predictor of Brimley's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 2-1 (and 1-8 when he doesn't). Micah Morrison was another key player, going a perfect 2-for-2 with four stolen bases, three runs, and one double.
Pickford pushed their record up to 12-0-1 with the victory, which was their seventh straight on the road. Those road wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 15.4 runs over those games. As for Brimley, their record now sits at 3-9.
Everything went Pickford's way against Brimley in their previous matchup last Monday, as Pickford made off with a 16-4 victory. Do the Panthers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Bays turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
