Matoaca is 0-3 against Atlee since March of 2018 but things could change on Thursday. The Warriors will be playing in front of their home fans against the Raiders at 6:00 p.m. Each of these teams will be battling to keep a four-game winning streak alive.
Atlee's hitters are going to have their work cut out for them on Thursday: Matoaca hadn't allowed a single run the last four times they've hit the field. The Warriors didn't even let Prince George on the board on Tuesday, marking the Warriors' second-straight 7-0 shutout. Considering the Warriors have won eight matches by more than five runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.
Kaylee Hodges made a splash while hitting and pitching. She didn't allow a single earned run while striking out 17 over seven innings pitched. She has been consistent for a while: 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 three RBI. That's the most hits she has posted since back in April.
In other batting news, Makennah Harler was excellent, going 2-for-3 with two runs, one double, and one RBI.
Atlee came out on top against Glen Allen on Tuesday thanks in part to the team's impressive eight-run third inning. The Raiders walked away with an 11-7 win over the Jaguars. The game was the first time the Raiders have beaten the Jaguars on their field since May 1, 2017.
Like Matoaca, Atlee also got a great game from a two-way player: Sierra Kegley. On the mound, she tossed seven innings while giving up four earned (and three unearned) runs off 11 hits. Kegley was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-4 with two stolen bases and two runs.
In other batting news, Atlee let Leah Austin and Izzie Turnauer run wild. Austin got on base in four of her five plate appearances with three RBI, two runs, and one stolen base, while Turnauer went a perfect 4-for-4 with three stolen bases, one run, and one double. Shannon McKeever was another key player, going 3-for-4 with two RBI.
Atlee kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least nine hits in four consecutive contests.
Matoaca pushed their record up to 14-3 with the victory, which was their fourth straight on the road. The road wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 0.0 runs on average over those games. As for Atlee, their victory bumped their record up to 12-5.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Matoaca has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 13.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Atlee struggles in that department as they've been averaging 6.7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Matoaca suffered a grim 15-3 defeat to Atlee in their previous meeting back in March of 2022. Can the Warriors avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
