The Kearney Bearcats will square off against the Bellevue West Thunderbirds at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday. Kearney is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.6 runs per game this season.
Kearney is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Nebraska's top teams: Bellevue East, who was ranked 11th at the time (Kearney was ranked 21st). The Bearcats took a 3-0 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Chieftains on Wednesday. Having soared to a lofty 11 runs in the game before, the Bearcats' shutout was a dramatic turnaround.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Bellevue West, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Wednesday. They had just enough and edged out Grand Island 9-8. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Thunderbirds have posted against the Islanders since September 2, 2017.
Grace Veik made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out nine batters over seven innings while giving up five earned (and three unearned) runs off ten hits. Veik was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with three RBI and one double.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Aubrey Busch, who went 3-for-4 with three runs, two doubles, and two RBI. That's the most doubles she has posted since back in August. Another player making a difference was Jaycee Woodard, who went 2-for-3 with two runs and one stolen base.
Bellevue West was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .467. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .333 or higher in six consecutive matchups.
Kearney's loss ended a four-game streak of away wins and brought them to 25-12. As for Bellevue West, their win bumped their record up to 10-21.
Thursday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Kearney hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .400. However, it's not like Bellevue West 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.
Kearney beat Bellevue West 11-8 in their previous meeting on Wednesday. Do the Bearcats have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Thunderbirds turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
