The Hart Pirates will head out on the road to square off against the Pine River Area Bucks at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday. Hart is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.2 runs per game this season.
Hart is probably headed into the contest with a chip on their shoulder considering North Muskegon just ended the team's seven-game winning streak on Tuesday. They fell just short of the Norsemen by a score of 7-5. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest loss the Pirates have suffered since May 29, 2024.
Reese Smith was cooking despite her team's loss, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, one stolen base, and one run. Another player making a difference was Maryn Klotz, who went 1-for-4 with three RBI and one double.
Meanwhile, Pine River Area had already won three in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 9 runs) and they went ahead and made it four on Tuesday. They blew past the Bobcats 16-0. The result was nothing new for the Bucks, who have now won ten matchups by eight runs or more so far this season.
Sadler Mumby was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with two RBI and one double.
In other batting news, Raegan Wanstead and Kylee Mumby did most of the damage at the plate: Wanstead went 2-for-3 with three RBI, two runs, and one triple, while Kylee went a perfect 3-for-3 with two stolen bases, three runs, and two RBI. Krystin Nelson also deserves some recognition as she hit her first double of the season.
Pine River Area was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .571. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .304 or higher in four consecutive games.
Hart's defeat dropped their record down to 10-4. As for Pine River Area, they pushed their record up to 12-2 with the victory, which was their third straight at home.
Thursday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Hart has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .460. However, it's not like Pine River Area struggles in that department as they've averaged .539. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Hart took their win against Pine River Area in their previous meeting back in June of 2024 by a conclusive 11-0 score. Will the Pirates repeat their success, or do the Bucks have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
