The Grants Pass Cavemen will challenge the North Medford Black Tornado at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Grants Pass 3.6, North Medford 2.3) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Grants Pass took a ten-run loss the last time they faced off against Roseburg, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Cavemen had just enough and edged out the Indians 3-2 on Saturday. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Cavemen have posted against the Indians since April 3, 2023.
Brooklyn Kuykendall spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and one unearned) run on five hits.
On the hitting side, Grants Pass' victory was truly a team effort as four different players contributed at least one hit. One of them was Cadence Morales, who went 1-for-2 with two runs.
Meanwhile, North Medford came tearing into Saturday's contest with four straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 9.8 runs), and they left with even more momentum. Their pitcher stepped up to hand the Lava Bears a 15-0 shutout. The Black Tornado might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won four matchups by seven runs or more this season.
Julia Edwards made a big impact no matter where she played. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out six over four innings pitched. She has been consistent: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in five consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 1-for-2 with three RBI and one run.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Natalie Tascala, who went 1-for-3 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs. That home run was her first of the season. Hadley Peterson was another key player, getting on base in all three of her plate appearances with two RBI and one double.
North Medford always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .533. That was just more of the same: they've now posted an OBP of .533 or higher in four consecutive games.
Grants Pass' record is now 6-1. As for North Medford, their record now sits at an identical 6-1.
Tuesday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Grants Pass has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .459. However, it's not like North Medford struggles in that department as they've averaged .479. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Grants Pass skirted past North Medford 4-3 when the teams last played back in May of 2025. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Cavemen since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
