Bennett is 0-10 against Decatur since March of 2019 but things could change on Monday. The Clippers will venture away from home to take on the Seahawks at 4:00 p.m. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty run totals in their previous games.
As a matter of fact, Bennett put up the most runs they have all season on Thursday. They were the clear victors by a 24-5 margin over Wicomico. The team's explosion at the plate also rewarded the Clippers with their most commanding win of the season.
Taylor Aydelotte was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run while striking out 12 over five innings pitched. Aydelotte was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-5 with one home run, four runs, and five RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on McKenna Bunting, who fired off two home runs, six RBI, and three runs while going 5-for-5. Avery King was another key player, going 3-for-5 with three stolen bases, two runs, and two doubles.
Bennett always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .568. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Decatur had already won two in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 11 runs) and they went ahead and made it three on Friday. They never let the Crabbers get on the board and left with a 15-0 victory. The result was nothing new for the Seahawks, who have now won 11 games by six runs or more so far this season.
Like Bennett, Decatur also got a great game from a two-way player: Kirby Bounds. She looked comfortable on the mound, keeping things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out six over five innings pitched. Bounds has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two hits in six consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs, two doubles, and two RBI. Those two RBI gave her a new career-high.
In other batting news, Decatur let Riley Hertzog and Bailey Griffin run wild. Hertzog went 2-for-3 with three runs and four RBI, while Griffin went 3-for-4 with three RBI, two doubles, and one run. Those three runs gave Hertzog a new career-high. Ryleigh Smith also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.
Bennett moved to 3-6 with that win, which also ended their four-game losing streak. As for Decatur, their record is now 13-2.
Bennett might still be hurting after the 14-2 loss they got from Decatur in their previous matchup back in March. Can the Clippers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
