Black River has won four straight games at home, while Keystone has won four straight on the road, but those streaks won't matter much on Tuesday. The Pirates will welcome the Wildcats at 5:00 p.m. Black River is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.9 runs per game this season.
Black River is probably headed into the game with a chip on their shoulder considering Columbia just ended the team's six-game winning streak on Monday. They fell just short of the Raiders by a score of 6-5.
Jenna Dieter was cooking despite her team's loss, going 1-for-3 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Meanwhile, Keystone won against Wellington on Thursday with 20 runs and they decided to stick to that run total again on Monday. The Wildcats beat Brookside by the very same score they won with in their prior game: 20-4. The Wildcats might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won nine matches by six runs or more this season.
Brooklyn Modock made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching six innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off seven hits. She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in eight consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-5 with two stolen bases, three runs, and two RBI. Those two stolen bases gave her a new career-high.
In other batting news, Ava Armitage and Anna Wright did most of the damage at the plate: Armitage went 2-for-5 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI, while Wright went 3-for-4 with three runs, three RBI, and one triple. Those three RBI gave Armitage a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Bristol Foster, who went 2-for-5 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Keystone was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .436. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .385 or higher in eight consecutive contests.
Black River's defeat dropped their record down to 10-6. As for Keystone, their win bumped their record up to 9-5.
Tuesday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Black River hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .347. However, it's not like Keystone struggles in that department as they've averaged .371. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Black River might still be hurting after the 11-2 loss they got from Keystone in their previous matchup two weeks ago. Will the Pirates have more luck at home instead of on the road? Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other softball content.
