The Pittsville Panthers will head out on the road to face off against the Rosholt Hornets at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Pittsville's pitching crew has only allowed 3.5 runs per game this season, so Rosholt's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Fans were treated to a battle of the Panthers on Tuesday. Pittsville walked away with a 6-3 win over Royall. The victory made it back-to-back wins for Pittsville.
While Rosholt didn't have the best season last year (they finished 9-12), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They put the hurt on Port Edwards with a sharp 11-3 victory on Tuesday. The result was nothing new for the Hornets, who have now won five games by eight runs or more so far this season.
Nolin Betker and Evan Hintz made a splash while hitting and pitching. Throwing, Betker tossed three innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off one hit. Meanwhile, Hintz tossed two innings while giving up just one earned run but no hits. Betker has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two hits in three consecutive appearances. At bat, Betker went 1-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double, while Hintz went 1-for-3 with three stolen bases, two runs, and one double. That double was Betker's first of the season.
In other pitching news, Zane Volz looked comfortable as he pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit.
Back at the plate, Matthew Ostrowski was incredible, going 2-for-3 with three stolen bases, three runs, and two doubles. Rosholt is undefeated when Ostrowski posts two or more runs, but 3-4 otherwise. Bryce Bembeneck was another key player, going 2-for-4 with three RBI and one stolen base.
Rosholt hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Port Edwards struck out ten times.
Pittsville's record now sits at 14-2-1. As for Rosholt, their record is now 6-4.
Pittsville got the 'W' when the teams last played back in April against Rosholt by a conclusive 9-2 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Panthers since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
