The Skyline Eagles will venture away from home to face off against the Pinckney Pirates at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Skyline has given up an average of 14.3 runs per game this season, but Wednesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Skyline is coming in off a wild two-game stretch: after soaring to 18 runs on Saturday, they were much more limited against Dexter on Monday. They lost 15-0 to the Dreadnaughts. The match marked the first time this year in which the Eagles were not able to get on the board.
Meanwhile, it may have taken eight innings to finish the job, but Pinckney ultimately got the result they hoped for on Monday. They had just enough and edged out Chelsea 6-4. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Pirates have posted since April 11th.
Natally Pease made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over eight innings while giving up three earned runs off nine hits (and only one walk). She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than nine strikeouts in four consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going a perfect 4-for-4 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run. Those four hits gave her a new career-high.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Sydney Arnold, who went 2-for-3 with three runs and two doubles. Those two doubles gave her a new career-high. Mackenzie Burns was another key player, going 1-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Pinckney is on a roll lately: they've won seven of their last eight contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 10-3 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.0 runs over those games. As for Skyline, they have traveled a rocky road recently, having lost three of their last four games. That's put a noticeable dent in their 2-4 record this season.
Wednesday's match will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Skyline hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .378. However, it's not like Pinckney struggles in that department as they've averaged .362. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Skyline suffered a grim 12-2 defeat to Pinckney when the teams last played back in May of 2023. Can the Eagles avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
