The Lampeter-Strasburg Pioneers will challenge the Solanco Golden Mules at 4:15 p.m. on Monday. Both teams are coming into the game red-hot, with Lampeter-Strasburg sitting on five straight wins and Solanco on 14.
Lampeter-Strasburg had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 15-run drubbing they dealt Governor Mifflin on Thursday. The Pioneers' pitcher stepped up to hand the Mustangs a 15-0 shutout. The result was nothing new for the Pioneers, who have now won seven matches by six runs or more so far this season.
Natalie Hill made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Hill was also solid in the batter's box, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBI.
In other batting news, Lampeter-Strasburg let Paige Baxter and Lily Kuhns run wild. Baxter went a perfect 2-for-2 with three runs, one triple, and two RBI, while Kuhns got on base in all three of her plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Isabelle King, who went 1-for-3 with one triple, two RBI, and one run.
Lampeter-Strasburg kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their hit total in three consecutive contests.
Meanwhile, Solanco got the win against Cocalico on Thursday by a conclusive 16-1. The result was nothing new for the Golden Mules, who have now won 11 games by six runs or more so far this season.
Delaney Gote was a standout: she went a perfect 2-for-2 with one home run, five RBI, and three runs. Kira Roark also deserves some recognition as she launched her first home run of the season.
Solanco's victory was their seventh straight at home, which pushed their record up to 14-1. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 13.4 runs over those games. As for Lampeter-Strasburg, their record now sits at 11-2.
Both Lampeter-Strasburg and Solanco just can't seem to miss. The Pioneers have been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9.7 hits per game. However, it's not like Solanco struggles in that department as they've been averaging only 3.3 hits. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Lampeter-Strasburg might still be hurting after the 10-4 defeat they got from Solanco in their previous matchup two weeks ago. Can the Pioneers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
