The Portage Indians will square off against the Valparaiso Vikings at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Portage is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.9 runs per game this season.
Portage came out on top against Merrillville on Tuesday thanks in part to the team's impressive 11-run second inning. The Indians were the clear victors by an 18-1 margin over the Pirates. Considering the Indians have won five games by more than six runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.
Duncan Krenkel was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over five innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits (and only one walk). Those six strikeouts gave her a new career-high. She was also big at the plate, going a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs and one RBI.
In other batting news, Miley Prance was a standout: she went 3-for-4 with three runs and four RBI. That's the most runs she has posted since April 1st. Savannah Riley was another key player, going 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Portage always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .667. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Merrillville only posted an OBP of .263.
Meanwhile, Valparaiso was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their fourth straight defeat. They came up short against Crown Point, falling 11-2.
Valparaiso saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Addison Shultz, who went 1-for-3 with one double.
Portage's win ended a three-game drought on the road and puts them at 5-7. As for Valparaiso, their loss dropped their record down to 5-9.
Valparaiso's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Portage has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 10.4 hits per game. It's a different story for Valparaiso, though, as they've been averaging 10.5 hits. Given Portage's sizable advantage in that area, the Vikings will need to find a way to close that gap.
Portage took their victory against Valparaiso in their previous matchup on April 9th by a conclusive 17-5 score. Do the Indians have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Vikings turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
