Woods Cross is 1-9 against Box Elder since April of 2019 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Tuesday. After both having extra time off, the two teams will shake off the cobwebs and hit the field against one another at 3:30 p.m. Woods Cross has given up an average of 10.6 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Woods Cross made up a huge gap compared to their last game against Northridge, but they still couldn't quite topple them. The Wildcats put the hurt on the Knights with a sharp 18-12 victory last Thursday. The Wildcats' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Bree Benson made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She pitched seven innings while giving up just two earned (and ten unearned) runs off 12 hits. Benson was also solid in the batter's box, going 3-for-5 with one RBI.
In other batting news, Audrey Ayala and Whitney Winegar did most of the damage at the plate: Ayala scored five runs and stole three bases while going 5-for-6, while Winegar got on base in four of her six plate appearances with one home run, three runs, and four RBI. That's the most stolen bases Ayala has posted since back in April of 2024. Another player making a difference was Kaylee Moen, who scored two runs while going 2-for-4.
Woods Cross was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .450. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Meanwhile, Box Elder fought the good fight in their extra-innings matchup against Bountiful last Friday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the RedHawks by a score of 2-1. The Bees were red-hot at the plate heading into the game (they scored no less than ten runs in the three contests prior), but the RedHawks' pitcher proved too tough.
Kennadie Blackmer spent all 8.1 innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned run on three hits and racked up 18 Ks. With that strong performance, she is now averaging an impressive 5.2 strikeouts per game.
At the plate, Box Elder saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Kailee Hall, who went 2-for-4 with one stolen base and one double. Hall is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as she's now snagged at least one in each of the last four games she's played.
Woods Cross' win ended a nine-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 3-5. As for Box Elder, their loss was their first of the season and makes their record 12-1.
Tuesday's match might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Woods Cross has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .452. However, it's not like Box Elder struggles in that department as they've averaged .542. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Woods Cross might still be hurting after the 17-2 defeat they got from Box Elder in their previous meeting back in May of 2024. Can the Wildcats avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
