The Pine Lake Prep Pride will challenge the Maiden Blue Devils at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Pine Lake Prep knows how to get runs on the board -- the team has finished with ten runs or more in their past four matchups -- so hopefully Maiden likes a good challenge.
If Pine Lake Prep beats Maiden with 17 runs on Thursday, it's going to be the squad's new lucky number: they've won their past two contests with that exact score. Pine Lake Prep put the hurt on Christ the King with a sharp 17-2 victory two weeks ago. The Pride haven't had any issues with the Crusaders recently, as the game was their ninth consecutive win against them.
Emma Rette made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing three innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off four hits. Rette was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs while going 1-for-3.
In other batting news, Pine Lake Prep got a massive performance out of Ava Cornacchione, who went 1-for-2 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. That home run was Cornacchione's first of the season. Kristen Armstrong was another key player, going 1-for-2 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base.
Pine Lake Prep always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .679. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their OBP total in three consecutive games.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Maiden, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Friday. They skirted past Bunker Hill 2-1. The victory was some much needed relief for the Blue Devils as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.
Raegan Rembert spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned run on four hits and racked up 11 Ks.
On the hitting side, Maiden's win was truly a team effort as four different players contributed at least one hit. One of them was Ella Bryan, who went 1-for-2 with one double and one RBI.
Pine Lake Prep's victory bumped their record up to 4-0. As for Maiden, their win bumped their record up to 3-4.
Maiden's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Pine Lake Prep has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .527. It's a different story for Maiden, though, as they've only averaged .314. Will they be able to contain Pine Lake Prep's hitters? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
