AuSable Valley is 2-8 against Ticonderoga since May of 2019 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Monday. After both having extra time off, the two teams will shake off the cobwebs and hit the field against one another at 4:30 p.m.
Northeastern Clinton hit AuSable Valley with a four-run third inning two weeks ago, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Patriots fell 6-2 to the Cougars. That's two games in a row now that the Patriots have lost by exactly four runs.
AuSable Valley saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Kylie Akey, who went 1-for-2 with one run and one double.
Meanwhile, Ticonderoga strolled into their game last Monday with a perfect record and they left with the same. Their pitcher stepped up to hand Moriah a 32-0 shutout. Fans of the Sentinels have seen this all before: every one of the games they've played this season has ended in a blowout of 6+ runs.
Myleigh Drinkwine made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, keeping things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out 14 over five innings pitched. Those 14 strikeouts gave her a new career-high. She was also big at the plate, getting on base in all five of her plate appearances with four runs, four RBI, and one stolen base.
In other batting news, Ticonderoga got a massive performance out of Jazlyn Disbrow, who got on base in five of her six plate appearances with one home run, five runs, and four RBI. Those four RBI gave Disbrow a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Addison Munson, who got on base in all six of her plate appearances with four runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Ticonderoga kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 17 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least ten hits every time they've taken the field this season.
Ticonderoga's win was their third straight at home, which pushed their record up to 6-0. Those home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.0 runs on average over those games. As for AuSable Valley, they now have a losing record of 1-2.
Monday's match might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. AuSable Valley has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .471. However, it's not like Ticonderoga struggles in that department as they've averaged .545. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
AuSable Valley couldn't quite get it done against Ticonderoga in their previous meeting back in May of 2024 as they fell 7-4. Can the Patriots avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
