The Broad Run Spartans will head out to take on Independence at 6:30 p.m. on Monday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Broad Run 4.1, Independence 3.2) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Thursday just wasn't the day for Broad Run's offense. They fell 3-0 to Loudoun County on Thursday. That's two games in a row now that the Spartans have lost by exactly three runs.
Meanwhile, Independence had already won four in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 8.8 runs) and they went ahead and made it five on Thursday. Everything went their way against the Panthers as they made off with an 11-1 win. Considering Independence has won six contests by more than five runs this season, Thursday's blowout was nothing new.
Independence got a great performance from Kayden Pak as she struck out six batters over five innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits (and not a single walk). Pak has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than one walk any time she's pitched this season.
On the hitting side, Halliday Fulcher and Andraya Santos did most of the damage at the plate: Fulcher went a perfect 2-for-2 with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI, while Santos went a perfect 3-for-3 with three doubles and four RBI. Santos is on a roll when it comes to RBI, as she's now brought in three or more in each of the last three games she's played. Emma Stringer was another key player, going 2-for-3 with one triple, two RBI, and one run.
Independence 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 eight hits every time they've taken the field this season.
Independence pushed their record up to 8-1 with the victory, which was their fourth straight on the road. The road wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.8 runs over those games. As for Broad Run, they have been struggling recently as they've lost three of their last four matchups. That's put a noticeable dent in their 7-5 record this season.
Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Monday. Broad Run hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 0.8 home runs per game. However, it's not like Independence struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 0.9 home runs. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.
Broad Run might still be hurting after the 8-2 defeat they got from Independence when the teams last played on April 8th. Can the Spartans avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
