The Payson Longhorns will challenge the Show Low Cougars at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Payson's pitching crew heads into the match hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Tuesday. They were the clear victors by a 22-0 margin over Apache Junction. The Longhorns have beaten the Prospectors the last three times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Prospectors has come to flipping the script.
Caelee Boyle
| 04/01/25 vs Apache Junction | 3 |
| 03/27/25 vs Northwest Christian | 2 |
| 03/18/25 vs Globe | 2 |
| 02/26/25 @ Highland Prep | 2 |
| 04/04/24 vs Show Low | 2 |
Payson got a massive performance out of Caelee Boyle, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with three stolen bases, three runs, and three RBI. Those three hits gave Boyle a new career-high. Breezey Morgan was another key player, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI.
Payson was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .682. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .371 or higher in three consecutive games.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Show Low). They blew past Tuba City 32-2 on Wednesday. The victory was nothing new for the Cougars as they're now sitting on five straight.
Riley Heuett and Addisyn Clark made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, Heuett tossed three innings while giving up just two earned runs off two hits. Meanwhile, Clark pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Heuett has been consistent : she hasn't given up more than two walks in eight consecutive appearances. At bat, Heuett scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances, while Clark scored three runs and stole two bases while going 2-for-3.
In other batting news, Avery Ervien was a standout: she went a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run, five RBI, and three runs. That home run marked the first that she launched this season. Another player making a difference was Ari Rivera, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs and four RBI.
Show Low pushed their record up to 13-4 with the win, which was their fourth straight on the road. The road victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 19.5 runs over those games. As for Payson, their win bumped their record up to 7-5.
Thursday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Payson hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .425. However, it's not like Show Low struggles in that department as they've averaged .448. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Payson came out on top in a nail-biter against Show Low in their previous meeting back in April of 2024, sneaking past 9-8. Do the Longhorns have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Cougars turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
