The Mount Union Trojans will venture away from home to take on the Juniata Valley Hornets at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Mount Union has given up an average of 6.9 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Mount Union lost 15-4 to Southern Huntingdon County on Thursday.
Payton Williams put in work while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching 3.1 innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits. Williams was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-2 with one run and one RBI.
Williams wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Sydnee Harris, who went 1-for-3 with one run.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Juniata Valley). They put the hurt on Williamsburg with a sharp 17-3 victory on Thursday. The win continues a trend for the Hornets in their matchups with the Blue Pirates: they've now won nine in a row.
Chassity Houck looked comfortable as she pitched three innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off two hits.
On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Kaitlyn Seville, who got on base in all four of her plate appearances with one home run, five RBI, and three runs. Julia Devore was another key player, getting on base in three of her five plate appearances with two stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI.
Juniata Valley always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .538. The last time their OBP was this high was was before the start of last season.
Mount Union dropped their record down to 6-13 with the loss, which was their third straight at home. As for Juniata Valley, the victory got them back to even at 8-8-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Mount Union has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Juniata Valley struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 9.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one. Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other softball content.
