The Squalicum Storm will head out on the road to square off against the Oak Harbor Wildcats at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.
As a matter of fact, Squalicum put up the most runs they have all season on Tuesday. They put the hurt on Bellingham with a sharp 28-15 win. With that victory, the Storm brought their scoring average up to 7.1 runs per game.
Gabi Gearhart was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she tossed 3.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. Gearhart was even better at the plate, getting on base in three of her six plate appearances with one home run and three runs. That home run was her first of the season.
In other batting news, Squalicum got a massive performance out of Keeley Meling, who got on base in all five of her plate appearances with three stolen bases, six RBI, and four runs. Those three stolen bases gave Meling a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Laela Staniford, who got on base in all five of her plate appearances with three stolen bases, five runs, and two RBI.
Squalicum always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .674. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, it was a proper cat-fight when Oak Harbor challenged Lakewood on Tuesday. The Wildcats blew past the Cougars 11-1. Considering the Wildcats have won six matches by more than five runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.
The team relied heavily on Ady Morales, who went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, three RBI, and two runs. Haylee Burleigh was another key player, earning three runs and one stolen base.
Oak Harbor has been performing well recently as they've won six of their last eight contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 11-6 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.5 runs over those games. Squalicum's first victory this season bumped their record up to 1-13.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Thursday as neither team is afraid to steal. Squalicum has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.6 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Oak Harbor struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 3.2 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Squalicum suffered a grim 17-4 defeat to Oak Harbor in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Can the Storm avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
