The Redmond Mustangs will challenge the Skyline Spartans at 5:00 p.m. on Monday. Redmond is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.2 runs per game this season.
For whatever reason, it's the away team that's had the advantage when Redmond and Bothell meet (three straight games heading into this one) and that held true again on Friday. The Mustangs put the hurt on the Cougars with a sharp 15-1 victory. The result was nothing new for the Mustangs, who have now won seven games by six runs or more so far this season.
Ainsley Barcalow made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out nine over five innings pitched. Barcalow was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one double and one RBI.
In other batting news, Livy Ruess was excellent, scoring three runs while going 2-for-3. Another player making a difference was Ellie Sattler, who went a perfect 1-for-1 with one triple and two RBI.
Redmond always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .550. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Bothell only posted an OBP of .308.
Meanwhile, Skyline faced Snohomish in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Friday. The Spartans fell 13-8 to the Panthers. The loss continues a trend for the Spartans in their meetings with the Panthers: they've now lost five in a row.
Shea Staley and Nazli Chavez did some serious damage despite the final result: Staley scored two runs and stole a base while going 4-for-4, while Chavez went 3-for-4 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. Staley is also on a roll when it comes to home runs, as she's now launched at least one in each of the last three games she's played. Piper Swanson was another key player, going 2-for-3 with two RBI and one double.
Redmond's win was their fifth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 10-1-1. Those road victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.6 runs on average over those games. As for Skyline, their defeat dropped their record down to 9-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Redmond has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Skyline struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one. Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more softball content.
