Youngker extended their losing streak to three on Thursday, dropping them down to 6-7-1. They came up short against the Buckeye Hawks, falling 17-1. Unfortunately, that's the second time they've come up short against the Hawks this season, as they also lost their prior matchup 20-3 on Tuesday.
Youngker saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Aliyah Lopez, who went 1-for-2 with one run and one double.
As for Buckeye, the victory (which was their fourth in a row) raised their record to 10-4. They might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won seven matchups by 16 runs or more this season.
On Buckeye's side, Destiney Litzan (2029) and Caleila Kaluna (2026) were major factors no matter where they played. On the mound, Litzan (2029) pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Kaluna (2026) tossed three innings while giving up just one earned run off one hit. Litzan (2029) has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances. At the plate, Litzan (2029) got on base in three of her four plate appearances with two stolen bases, one run, and one RBI, while Kaluna (2026) went a perfect 2-for-2 with three runs, one triple, and one stolen base.
In other batting news, Kaleikaumaka Ellis (2026) was a standout: she went a perfect 3-for-3 with four stolen bases, three runs, and four RBI. Those four RBI gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Mahinalei Marquez-Pang (2029), who got on base in three of her four plate appearances with three RBI, two runs, and one stolen base.
We've got plenty of inter-region action coming up soon. Youngker will take on rival Desert Edge at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. Meanwhile, Buckeye is set to face off against their familiar foe Verrado at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (the Hawks 2.9, the Vipers 3) so any runs scored will be well earned.
