The Durand Bulldogs will take on the Forreston Cardinals at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Durand's pitching crew has only allowed 3.5 runs per game this season, so Forreston's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Durand blew Orangeville out of the water the last time the pair played, but on Wednesday Orangeville got their revenge. The Bulldogs fell just short of the Broncos by a score of 2-0. The contest marked the first time this year in which the Bulldogs were not able to get on the board.
Meanwhile, Forreston came into Wednesday's game having lost 15 straight, but that streak is now in the rearview. They were the clear victors by a 19-4 margin over Hiawatha on Wednesday. The Cardinals' offense finally found a way to get into gear: the high-octane performance was a 180-degree turn from their last four games.
Emma Hundertmark was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, she posted two strikeouts, the most she's had since back in March. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-2 with three RBI and one run.
In other pitching news, Kylie Dieterman looked comfortable as she struck out eight batters over three innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off three hits. Those eight strikeouts gave her a new career-high.
Back at the plate, Forreston got a massive performance out of Nevaeh Scheffner, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with four runs, two stolen bases, and two RBI. Those three hits gave Scheffner a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Caroline Bawinkel, who went 3-for-4 with two triples, five RBI, and two runs.
Forreston kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 17 hits. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Hiawatha only managed four hits.
Forreston's win bumped their record up to 3-15. As for Durand, their loss ended a four-game streak of away wins and brought them to 7-6.
Durand took their victory against Forreston in their previous matchup on Tuesday by a conclusive 11-1 score. Do the Bulldogs have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Cardinals turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
