The Genesee Bulldogs will face off against the Potlatch Loggers at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Genesee had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 15-run drubbing they dealt Clearwater Valley on Monday. The Bulldogs never let the Rams get on the board and left with a 15-0 win. The Bulldogs have beaten the Rams the last seven times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Rams has come to flipping the script.
Sophie Johnson and Makayla Herman did most of the damage at the plate: Johnson went 2-for-3 with three RBI, two runs, and one double, while Herman went a perfect 2-for-2 with three RBI and two runs. Another player making a difference was Jubalee Vandenbos, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs and one RBI.
Genesee always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .607. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Clearwater Valley only posted an OBP of .000.
Meanwhile, with a playoff win on the line, Potlatch rose to the challenge on Monday. They put the hurt on the Pirates with a sharp 17-3 victory. The win was familiar territory for the Loggers, who have now won eight games in a row.
Potlatch also got a great performance from Brieanna Winther as she pitched five innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits.
At the plate, Potlatch let Hayley McNeal and Olivia Smith run wild. McNeal went a perfect 3-for-3 with six stolen bases, four runs, and two RBI, while Smith got on base in all four of her plate appearances with six stolen bases and four runs. Those six stolen bases gave McNeal a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Jaida Andres, who went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one triple.
Genesee's record is now 17-4. As for Potlatch, their record now sits at 15-1.
Both the two teams just can't seem to miss. Genesee has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 10.2 hits per game. However, it's not like Potlatch struggles in that department as they've been averaging only 4.3 hits. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Genesee came out on top in a nail-biter against Potlatch in their previous matchup two weeks ago, sneaking past 8-7. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Bulldogs since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
