Pittsfield is 2-7 against Newmarket since April of 2016 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Friday. The Panthers will look to defend their home field against the Mules at 4:00 p.m. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
If Pittsfield beats Newmarket with 19 runs on Friday, it's going to be the team's new lucky number: they've won their past two matches with that exact score. The Panthers put the hurt on Farmington with a sharp 19-2 victory on Monday. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Panthers.
Alex Penney made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit (and not a single walk). She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one earned run any time she's pitched this season. She was also big at the plate, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with two runs.
In other batting news, Ashley Clark was a standout: she got on base in all four of her plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. Nika Pereira was another key player, getting on base in all four of her plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Pittsfield always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .806. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Newmarket had already won four in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 8 runs) and they went ahead and made it five on Wednesday. They were the clear victors by a 22-6 margin over the Warriors.
Like Pittsfield, Newmarket also got a great game from a two-way player: Emma Surina. She didn't allow a single earned run over five innings pitched. Surina was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with three RBI, one run, and one double. That double was her first of the season.
In other batting news, Newmarket got a massive performance out of Paige Sweitzer, who went 3-for-4 with four runs, one triple, and one stolen base. Those four runs gave Sweitzer a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Kierra Souphakhot, who got on base in all five of her plate appearances with three stolen bases and four runs.
Pittsfield's win was their 13th straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 10-2. Those home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 0.8 runs on average over those games. As for Newmarket, their win bumped their record up to 12-1.
Friday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Pittsfield has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .556. However, it's not like Newmarket struggles in that department as they've averaged .467. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Pittsfield came up short against Newmarket in their previous matchup back in May of 2024, falling 4-1. Will the Panthers 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.
