The Middletown Blue Dragons will head out on the road to square off against the Cromwell Panthers at 3:45 p.m. on Thursday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Middletown was handed a heart-breaking two-run defeat in their last matchup, but they sure didn't let that happen against New Britain on Tuesday. The Blue Dragons were the clear victors by an 11-3 margin over the Hurricanes. The high-flying hitting performance was a huge turnaround for the Blue Dragons considering their two-run performance the contest before.
Gia Lane was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run while striking out nine over seven innings pitched. Lane was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three RBI and one run. Those three RBI gave her a new career-high.
In other batting news, Kyleigh Franklin and Maddie Eldridge did most of the damage at the plate: Franklin went 2-for-3 with two runs and one stolen base, while Eldridge went 2-for-3 with two RBI and one double. That's the most hits Eldridge has posted since back in March. Cooper Porch also deserves some recognition as she hit her first double of the season.
Meanwhile, Cromwell entered their tilt with East Hampton on Monday with two consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with three. They put the hurt on the Bellringers with a sharp 15-4 win.
Ell Wren spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and three unearned) runs on six hits and racked up six Ks. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in ten consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, Addy Jupe was incredible, going 3-for-5 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. The team also got some help courtesy of Keira Beyer, who went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, three runs, and two RBI.
Cromwell kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 15 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least ten hits in three consecutive games.
Middletown's record now sits at 4-9. As for Cromwell, their record is now 7-5.
Thursday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Middletown hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .337. However, it's not like Cromwell struggles in that department as they've averaged .328. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other softball content.
