The Basalt Longhorns will head out to take on the Gunnison Cowboys at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Basalt is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.3 runs per game this season.
Basalt is coming in off a wild two-game stretch: after soaring to 18 runs on Thursday, they were much more limited against Rifle on Tuesday. They fell 7-2 to the Bears. The Longhorns haven't had much luck with the Bears recently, as the team has come up short the last four times they've met.
Basalt saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Liliana Santini, who went 1-for-2 with one triple and one run.
Meanwhile, Gunnison never let their opponents score on Tuesday. Everything went their way against Aspen as they made off with a 15-0 win. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Cowboys.
Josie Vollendorf was incredible, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases, three runs, and two RBI. That's the most runs she has posted since back in August. The team also got some help courtesy of Kaylee Vincent, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Gunnison always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .731. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Basalt's defeat dropped their record down to 5-16. As for Gunnison, their victory bumped their record up to 10-11.
Saturday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Basalt has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .472. However, it's not like Gunnison struggles in that department as they've averaged .434. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Basalt suffered a grim 18-7 defeat to Gunnison in their previous matchup back in October of 2024. Can the Longhorns avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
