Sentinel has gone 8-2 against Butte recently and they'll look to pad the win column further on Thursday. The Spartans will host the Bulldogs at 5:00 p.m. Sentinel will aim to continue their three-game streak of scoring more runs each matchup than the last.
Sentinel is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Montana's top teams: Big Sky, who was ranked eighth at the time (Sentinel was ranked 21st). The Spartans walked away with a 10-5 win over the Eagles on Wednesday. The victory was some much needed relief for the Spartans as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.
Alyssa Hanninen was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She tossed six innings while giving up three earned (and one unearned) runs off three hits. Hanninen was also big at the plate, going 1-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and one double.
Sydney Goldbar
| 04/30/25 @ Big Sky | 6 |
| 04/08/25 @ Flathead | 4 |
| 05/07/24 vs Big Sky | 4 |
| 04/17/25 vs Hellgate | 3 |
| 04/10/25 vs Glacier | 3 |
In other batting news, Sydney Goldbar was incredible, firing off two home runs and six RBI while going 2-for-4. Those six RBI gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Layla Brushia, who went 1-for-2 with one run and one RBI.
Sentinel lost a few balls and finished the game with two home runs. They are 3-1 when they post two or more home runs.
Meanwhile, Butte got the win against Flathead on Saturday by a conclusive 15-4. The Bulldogs haven't had any issues with the Braves/Bravettes recently, as the game was their third consecutive win against them.
Like Sentinel, Butte also got a great game from a two-way player: Ashlinn Mullaney. On the mound, she pitched four innings while giving up three earned (and one unearned) runs off three hits. Mullaney was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run.
In other pitching news, Brea Henderson looked comfortable as she pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks any time she's pitched this season.
Back at the plate, Butte let Allie Becker and Kendallyn Schad run wild. Becker went 1-for-3 with one home run and three RBI, while Schad went 1-for-3 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. That home run was Becker's first of the season. The team also got some help courtesy of Gracie Jonart, who got on base in three of her four plate appearances with three runs.
The victory got Sentinel back to even at 8-8. As for Butte, their win bumped their record up to 5-10.
Thursday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Sentinel hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .331. However, it's not like Butte struggles in that department as they've averaged .335. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Sentinel came up short against Butte in their previous meeting back in April, falling 7-4. Will the Spartans have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
