The Sumner Stingrays will head out on the road to square off against the Plant Panthers at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Sumner is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.6 runs per game this season.
Sumner had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the six-run drubbing they dealt Plant City on Thursday. The Stingrays put the hurt on the Raiders with a sharp 8-2 win. The victory continues a trend for the Stingrays in their matchups with the Raiders: they've now won six in a row.
Victoria Baker
| 04/03/25 vs Plant City | 11 |
| 04/23/24 @ Robinson | 7 |
| 04/04/24 vs Osceola | 7 |
| 03/11/25 vs Newsome | 6 |
| 03/23/24 vs Gaither | 6 |
Victoria Baker was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She struck out 11 batters over seven innings while giving up just two earned runs off seven hits (and only one walk). Those 11 strikeouts gave her a new career-high. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one stolen base, one double, and one RBI.
Baker wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Aliyanis Stubbs, who scored two runs while going 3-for-4. What's more, Stubbs posted two doubles, the most she's had since back in February. Karlee Salisbury was another, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-4.
Meanwhile, Plant was not the first on the board last Monday, but they got there more often. They skirted past Gaither 3-2.
Summer Wood tossed a big game, tossing five innings while giving up just two earned runs off four hits. She has been consistent : she hasn't given up more than two walks in eight consecutive appearances.
Plant hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. The team has now struck out at least four batters in three consecutive matches.
Plant's win was their fifth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 9-5. The road victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.8 runs over those games. As for Sumner, their record is now 11-8.
Sumner's speedy runners might be the difference in Saturday's contest. The Stingrays have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.3 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Plant, though, as they've been averaging only 0.6 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Sumner continue to outrun the ball?
Sumner was able to grind out a solid win over Plant in their previous matchup back in February of 2024, winning 8-3. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Stingrays since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
