The Avon Park Red Devils will take on the Davenport Broncos at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Avon Park knows how to get runs on the board -- the squad has finished with ten runs or more in their past three games -- so hopefully Davenport likes a good challenge.
If Avon Park beats Davenport with 13 runs on Thursday, it's going to be the team's new lucky number: they've won their past two matches with that exact score. The Red Devils blew past DeSoto County 13-3 on Tuesday. The result was nothing new for the Red Devils, who have now won eight contests by eight runs or more so far this season.
Paisley Macias was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching two innings while giving up no earned runs off three hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with two RBI.
In other batting news, Kamya Brassell was incredible, scoring two runs and stealing two bases while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances. Skylar Hicks was another key player, going 2-for-3 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one double.
Avon Park was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .417. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Davenport, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Monday. They walked away with a 9-4 win over Lake Gibson on Tuesday. The Broncos have beaten the Braves the last three times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Braves has come to flipping the script.
Ashanti Pagan spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and three unearned) runs on six hits and racked up seven Ks.
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Madison Bergeron, who scored two runs and stole three bases. That's the most stolen bases she has posted since back in February. The team also got some help courtesy of Jordyn Duran, who went 1-for-2 with one stolen base and one RBI.
The victory got Davenport back to even at 9-9. As for Avon Park, their win bumped their record up to 10-8.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Thursday as neither team is afraid to steal. Avon Park has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.6 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Davenport struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 4.9 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Avon Park took their victory against Davenport when the teams last played back in February by a conclusive 12-4 score. Will the Red Devils repeat their success, or do the Broncos have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
