Packers
| 03/31/26 @ Tabb | 7 |
| 03/27/26 @ New Kent | 2 |
| 03/25/26 @ Warhill | 16 |
| 03/23/26 vs Bruton | 30 |
| + 2 more games |
The Smithfield Packers will square off against the Grafton Clippers at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Smithfield is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 13.7 runs per game this season.
Seven must be Smithfield's lucky number: they beat Tabb with that score not once but twice on Tuesday. The Packers beat the Tigers by the very same score they won with in their prior game: 7-6. The victory continues a trend for the Packers in their matchups with the Tigers: they've now won three in a row.
Kiley Mintz spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and five unearned) runs on six hits.
At the plate, Grace Dodson was incredible, going 2-for-3 with three stolen bases, two runs, and one double. With that strong performance, she is now averaging an impressive 1.2 stolen bases per game. Ally Chapman was another key player, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Grafton). They blew past Lafayette 16-2 on Wednesday. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the team's high-flying offense, the game also marked the team's biggest win of the season.
The team relied heavily on Emerson Sweeney-CNU, who went 2-for-4 with two runs, two doubles, and one stolen base. Another player making a difference was Makayla Crites, who went 1-for-3 with one home run and two RBI.
Grafton kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post 11 or more hits.
Smithfield's victory bumped their record up to 6-1. As for Grafton, they now have a winning record of 4-3.
Smithfield's speedy runners might be the difference in Thursday's contest. The Packers have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.1 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Grafton, though, as they've been averaging only 1.3 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Smithfield continue to outrun the ball?
Smithfield skirted past Grafton 3-1 in their previous meeting back in April of 2025. Will the Packers repeat their success, or do the Clippers have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
