The Elmwood Royals will venture away from home to square off against the Tinora Rams at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Elmwood is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8 runs per game this season.
On Wednesday, Elmwood got the win against Van Buren by a conclusive 16-3. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Royals.
Addi Hoffman was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off five hits (and only one walk). She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in nine consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
In other batting news, Libbie Tyson was incredible, firing off two home runs and four RBI while going 2-for-3. Those two home runs gave her a new career-high. Bristol Evans also deserves some recognition as she hit her first double of the season.
Elmwood was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .559. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Tinora fought the good fight in their extra-innings game against Liberty Center on Friday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Tigers by a score of 7-5.
Like Elmwood, Tinora also got a great game from a two-way player: Zoe Billings. On the mound, she struck out six batters over 7.2 innings while giving up just one earned (and six unearned) runs off seven hits (and only one walk). Billings was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with one home run, one stolen base, and two RBI.
In other batting news, Paige Gamby was cooking despite her team's loss, going 1-for-4 with one home run and two RBI. Trynity Koerber was another key player, going 2-for-4 with two runs and one RBI.
Elmwood's record now sits at 14-7. As for Tinora, they have traveled a rocky road recently, having lost eight of their last ten contests. That's put a noticeable dent in their 6-10 record this season.
Thursday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Elmwood hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .373. However, it's not like Tinora struggles in that department as they've averaged .320. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Everything went Elmwood's way against Tinora in their previous matchup back in April of 2023, as Elmwood made off with a 21-3 victory. Do the Royals have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Rams turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
