Monroe hasn't had much luck against Queen's Grant recently, but that could start to change on Monday. The Monroe Redhawks will square off against the Queen's Grant Stallions at 4:30 p.m. Monroe has given up an average of 18.1 runs per game this season, so hopefully the team got some pitching drills in this week.
Monroe is headed into Monday's game looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their eighth straight game on Thursday. They came up short against Forest Hills, falling 17-2. Having soared to a lofty 17 runs in the game before, the Redhawks couldn't push the score so high this time.
Meanwhile, Queen's Grant put another one in the bag on Thursday to keep their perfect season alive. Their pitcher stepped up to hand Langtree Charter Academy a 13-0 shutout. 13 seems to be a good number for the Stallions as the team scooped up a victory with the same number of runs in their previous game.
Addi Benton was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out 14 over five innings pitched. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts any time she's pitched this season. She was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 1-for-3.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Saniya Williams, who went 2-for-3 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. Those three RBI gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Abby Sanders, who scored two runs while going 1-for-1.
Queen's Grant was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .464. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .320 or higher in four consecutive matches.
Queen's Grant pushed their record up to 10-0 with the win, which was their tenth straight on the road dating back to last season. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.3 runs on average over those games. As for Monroe, their loss dropped their record down to 1-8.
Monday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Monroe has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .528. However, it's not like Queen's Grant struggles in that department as they've averaged .606. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Monroe suffered a grim 17-1 defeat to Queen's Grant in their previous matchup back in March of 2024. Can Monroe avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
