The Heights Bulldogs will challenge the Fort Bend Hightower Hurricanes at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Fort Bend Hightower will be up against a hot Heights team: the squad just extended their winning streak to eight. The Bulldogs put the hurt on Westside with a sharp 16-1 victory on Thursday.
Sara Paniagua made a splash no matter where she played. She pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up a single earned run in three consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 1-for-4 with two runs and two RBI. That's the most runs she has posted since back in March.
In other batting news, Flora Moreno was incredible, going 3-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in February. Another player making a difference was Helen Maddux, who got on base in three of her four plate appearances with two stolen bases, two runs, and one triple.
Heights was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .500. They are a perfect 8-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Fort Bend Hightower, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Tuesday. Their pitchers stepped up to hand Fort Bend Elkins a 15-0 shutout on Thursday.
Like Heights, Fort Bend Hightower also got a great game from a two-way player: Diana Rivas. On the mound, she tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Rivas was also solid in the batter's box, earning one RBI and three runs.
In other pitching news, Bailie Holts looked comfortable as she tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits.
Back at the plate, Fort Bend Hightower let Baylee Bonner and Kourtney Jones-Caldwell run wild. Bonner got on base in all three of her plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI, while Jones-Caldwell got on base in all three of her plate appearances with two stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI. Jenise Tristan was another key player, getting on base in all three of her plate appearances with one run and one RBI.
Heights pushed their record up to 14-7 with the win, which was their sixth straight at home. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 13.5 runs over those games. As for Fort Bend Hightower, they have been performing well recently as they've won five of their last six contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 18-4-2 record this season.
Saturday's matchup might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Heights has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .467. However, it's not like Fort Bend Hightower struggles in that department as they've averaged .516. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Heights took their win against Fort Bend Hightower when the teams last played back in February of 2022 by a conclusive 16-3 score. Do the Bulldogs have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Hurricanes turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
