The John Marshall Rockets will square off against the Mankato East Cougars at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. John Marshall has given up an average of 8.8 runs per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
John Marshall fell victim to Mankato West and their airtight pitching crew on Tuesday. They came up short against the Scarlets, falling 11-0. The Rockets haven't had much luck with the Scarlets recently, as the team has come up short the last five times they've met.
Meanwhile, Mankato East entered their tilt with Mayo on Tuesday with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. They never let the Spartans get on the board and left with a 10-0 victory. The result was nothing new for the Cougars, who have now won seven matchups by six runs or more so far this season.
Kylinn Stangl was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out six over five innings pitched. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in five consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 1-for-2 with one home run and two runs.
In other batting news, Mankato East let Carlie Wendinger and Maddeline Beaty run wild. Wendinger went a perfect 3-for-3 with two stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI, while Beaty went 2-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and two RBI. That's the most RBI Wendinger has posted since back in May of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Kenley Staunton, who got on base in two of her four plate appearances with two stolen bases and two runs.
Mankato East always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .536. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Mankato East pushed their record up to 10-1 with the win, which was their 12th straight at home dating back to last season. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.4 runs over those games. As for John Marshall, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-8.
John Marshall might still be hurting after the 10-0 loss they got from Mankato East in their previous matchup back in May of 2024. Will the Rockets have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
