Vista Ridge is on a three-game streak of home wins, while Pine Creek is on a seven-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The Wolves will host the Eagles at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Vista Ridge came out on top against Rampart on Wednesday thanks in part to the team's impressive eight-run sixth inning. The Wolves blew past the Rams 14-5.
Vista Ridge let Jocelynn Kalkman and Jaylani Jusino run wild. Kalkman went 2-for-5 with one home run, four runs, and four RBI, while Jusino went 3-for-5 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. That's the most RBI Kalkman has posted since back in August. Another player making a difference was Justine Laulu, who went 2-for-5 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI.
They weren't the only ones making solid contact: Vista Ridge kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 15 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least nine hits in nine consecutive games.
Meanwhile, Pine Creek put their dominant pitcher on display in the team's fourth consecutive shutout on Wednesday. Their pitcher stepped up to hand Fountain-Fort Carson a 13-0 shutout.
Abigail *Abby* Stenerson was a major factor no matter where she played. She kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out seven over five innings pitched. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
In other batting news, Pine Creek got a massive performance out of Kailani *Kai* Shideler, who went 2-for-3 with three RBI, one triple, and one stolen base. Ahlanna Rymski was another key player, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs.
Pine Creek's victory bumped their record up to 16-3. As for Vista Ridge, their win bumped their record up to 13-4.
Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Thursday. Vista Ridge hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 0.5 home runs per game. However, it's not like Pine Creek struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 0.8 home runs. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.
Vista Ridge skirted past Pine Creek 10-9 in their previous meeting back in September. Will the Wolves repeat their success, or do the Eagles have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
