The Asotin Panthers will take on the Freeman Scotties at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Asotin has given up an average of 16.7 runs per game this season, but Saturday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Asotin managed to slip by Colton the last time these teams faced off, but didn't have those same answers this time around. Asotin came up short against Colton on Thursday, falling 15-4.
Jayne Crockett was cooking despite her team's loss, scoring a run and stealing two bases while going 1-for-3. Elle Mae Lindell also deserves some recognition as she scored her first run of the season.
Meanwhile, Freeman put another one in the bag on Wednesday to keep their perfect season alive. They blew past Medical Lake 12-1. The result was nothing new for the Scotties, who have now won five games by seven runs or more so far this season.
Kaylee Ripke was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out 12 over five innings pitched. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one earned run any time she's pitched this season. She was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI.
In other batting news, Rilyn Ripke was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-3. Paige Lochmiller was another key player, going 2-for-3 with three RBI and one double.
Freeman hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now struck out at most four strikeouts in three consecutive matches.
Freeman's win was their fourth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 6-0. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.8 runs on average over those games. As for Asotin, their defeat dropped their record down to 1-5.
Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Saturday. Asotin hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 0.5 home runs per game. However, it's not like Freeman struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 1.3 home runs. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.
Asotin suffered a grim 24-3 defeat to Freeman when the teams last played on Tuesday. Can Asotin avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
