The Mynderse Academy Blue Devils are taking a road trip to challenge the Lyons Lions at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Mynderse Academy has given up an average of 7.1 runs per game this season, but Saturday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Mynderse Academy managed to slip by Wayne the last time these teams faced off, but didn't have those same answers this time around. The Blue Devils lost 11-5 to the Eagles on Thursday.
Mynderse Academy saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Cheyenne Mangum, who went 1-for-3 with one stolen base and one run. Jainelee Castro-Diaz also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.
Meanwhile, Lyons entered their tilt with Waterloo on Friday with three consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with four. They blew past the Tigers 10-3. The result was nothing new for the Lions, who have now won 11 matchups by seven runs or more so far this season.
Keira Weber spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and two unearned) runs on nine hits and racked up nine Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than eight strikeouts in four consecutive appearances.
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Rylee Richardson, who went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases and three runs. Another player making a difference was Lydia Briggs, who went 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs.
Lyons kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least 11 hits in four consecutive games.
Lyons pushed their record up to 13-1 with the win, which was their third straight on the road. Those road victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.0 runs on average over those games. As for Mynderse Academy, their defeat dropped their record down to 7-5.
Saturday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Mynderse Academy has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .476. However, it's not like Lyons struggles in that department as they've averaged .600. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other softball content.
