The Kerens Bobcats will be playing at home against the Hawkins Hawks at 8:00 p.m. on Friday. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last game, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this match.
Kerens' hitters might be in the hot seat on Friday considering what happened against Frankston on Tuesday. They fell just short of the Indians by a score of 1-0. Kerens just can't catch a break and has now endured three defeats in a row.
Kerens saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Kayla Gonzales, who went 1-for-4 with a double.
Meanwhile, Hawkins fought the good fight in their extra-innings game against Overton on Tuesday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Mustangs by a score of 6-5. It was the first time this season that Hawkins let down their fans at home.
Kalyn Ellison spent all 8.1 innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and five unearned) runs on seven hits and racked up nine Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't pitched less than five innings in four consecutive pitching appearances.
On the hitting side, Ryli Williams and Londyn Wilson stepped up to the plate in a big way. Williams went 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBI, while Wilson went 3-for-5 with two runs and a triple. Another player making a difference was Taetum Smith, who scored a run while going 3-for-4.
Kerens' loss dropped their record down to 22-11. As for Hawkins, their defeat ended a 16-game streak of wins at home dating back to last season and dropped them to 15-5.
Friday's matchup might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Kerens has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .464. However, it's not like Hawkins struggles in that department as they've averaged .540. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Kerens beat Hawkins 5-2 when the teams last played back in March. Will Kerens repeat their success, or does Hawkins have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
