The Lake Stevens Vikings will take on the Jackson Timberwolves at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Lake Stevens 2.7, Jackson 2.5) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Jackson will take on a team with plenty of momentum: Lake Stevens extended their winning streak to five on Friday. The Vikings blew past Monroe 11-1. The high-flying hitting performance was a huge turnaround for the Vikings considering their two-run performance the game before.
Chad Greaby looked comfortable as he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit over four innings pitched. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than one walk in four consecutive appearances.
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Cayden DeElena, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with two stolen bases and three runs. The team also got some help courtesy of Josh Bouley, who went 2-for-3 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run.
Lake Stevens was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .500. They are a perfect 7-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Meanwhile, Jackson fell victim to Lake Stevens and their airtight pitching crew on Thursday. They fell just short of the Vikings by a score of 2-0. The Timberwolves have struggled against the Vikings recently, as the game was their fifth consecutive lost matchup.
Jackson's defeat dropped their record down to 14-4. As for Lake Stevens, their victory bumped their record up to 10-4.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Lake Stevens has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Jackson struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Lake Stevens came out on top in a nail-biter against Jackson in their previous meeting on Thursday, sneaking past 2-0. Will the Vikings repeat their success, or do the Timberwolves have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
