The Melba Mustangs will head out to take on the Weiser Wolverines at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Melba has a tough task ahead: they'll enter the game with three straight losses, while Weiser will come in with ten straight victories.
Melba is coming in off a wild two-game stretch: after soaring to 13 runs on Saturday, they were much more limited against New Plymouth on Wednesday. They took a 6-2 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Pilgrims. That's two games in a row now that the Mustangs have lost by exactly four runs.
Analyse Durham was cooking despite her team's loss, going 2-for-3 with one double and one RBI. Jessie Rea was another key player, getting on base in two of her three plate appearances with one stolen base and one run.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Weiser). They put the hurt on McCall-Donnelly with a sharp 24-3 win on Wednesday. Considering the Wolverines have won eight matchups by more than six runs this season, Wednesday's blowout was nothing new.
Madi Janicek and Pieper Stromberg made a splash no matter where they played. On the mound, Janicek tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Stromberg pitched three innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off three hits. At the plate, Janicek went 1-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI, while Stromberg went 1-for-4 with one home run and two runs. That's the most runs Stromberg has posted since back in March.
In other batting news, Weiser got a massive performance out of Natalya Hoobery, who fired off three home runs, nine RBI, and four runs while going 4-for-5. Those three home runs gave Hoobery a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Alli Navarrete, who fired off two home runs, six RBI, and four runs while going 3-for-4.
Weiser always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .578. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as McCall-Donnelly only posted an OBP of .333.
Melba's defeat dropped their record down to 2-6. As for Weiser, their record now sits at 11-1.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Saturday as neither team is afraid to steal. Melba has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.9 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Weiser struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 3.4 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Melba came up short against Weiser in their previous meeting back in April of 2021, falling 16-12. Can the Mustangs avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
