For the first time this season, Affton will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup. They will venture away from home to challenge the Herculaneum Black Cats at 4:15 p.m. on Monday. Affton has given up an average of 14 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Bayless hit Affton with a four-run fifth inning on Thursday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Cougars came up short against the Bronchos, falling 11-2. The Cougars haven't had much luck with the Bronchos recently, as the team has come up short the last four times they've met.
Aleigha Meyers put in work while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out 13 batters over 4.2 innings while giving up just one earned (and ten unearned) runs off five hits (and not a single walk). She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one walk in four consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in two of her three plate appearances with two stolen bases and two runs.
Meyers wasn't the only one making solid contact as four players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Hailey Cunningham, who went 1-for-3 with one stolen base and one RBI. Sydney Petrich also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Herculaneum, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Tuesday. Their pitcher stepped up to hand Hancock a 15-0 shutout on Thursday. With that win, the Black Cats brought their scoring average up to 6.1 runs per game.
Herculaneum got a massive performance out of Cheyenne Wood, who got on base in all three of her plate appearances with three stolen bases, three runs, and one double. That's the most runs Wood has posted since back in October of 2024. Kiersten Pattison was another key player, getting on base in all three of her plate appearances with three RBI, two runs, and one stolen base.
Herculaneum always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .714. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Affton's loss dropped their record down to 3-12-1. As for Herculaneum, they moved to 5-9 with that victory, which also ended their three-game losing streak.
Monday's matchup might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Affton has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .483. However, it's not like Herculaneum struggles in that department as they've averaged .445. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Affton might still be hurting after the 21-5 defeat they got from Herculaneum in their previous meeting back in October of 2024. Can the Cougars avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
