The Jonesport-Beals Royals will square off against the Penobscot Valley Howlers on Thursday. Jonesport-Beals is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.5 runs per game this season.
Jonesport-Beals is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Tuesday. They came out on top against Schenck by a score of 6-3.
Aspen Alley
| 06/10/25 vs Schenck | 7 |
| 06/03/25 vs Machias | 10 |
| 06/02/25 vs Shead | 6 |
| 05/29/25 vs Narraguagus | 15 |
| 05/27/25 @ Searsport | 5 |
| + 7 more games |
Aspen Alley was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out seven batters over 3.2 innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off three hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts any time she's pitched this season. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with four RBI and one double. Those four RBI gave her a new career-high.
In other batting news, Jonesport-Beals let Melody Gray and Makayla Merchant run wild. Gray got on base in all three of her plate appearances with two runs, while Merchant went 1-for-2 with two runs and one stolen base. Riley Balicki was another key player, getting on base in all three of her plate appearances with one run.
Jonesport-Beals hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. The team has now struck out at least four batters in three consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, Penobscot Valley strolled into their game on Wednesday with a perfect record and they left with the same. They put the hurt on Woodland with a sharp 17-3 victory. Considering the Howlers have won 13 games by more than five runs this season, Wednesday's blowout was nothing new.
Lauren Veino made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out ten over four innings pitched. Veino was also big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with three doubles, four RBI, and two runs.
In other batting news, Allie LeBlanc was a standout: she got on base in all four of her plate appearances with three stolen bases, four runs, and one RBI. Another player making a difference was Lila Cummings, who went 3-for-4 with three stolen bases, three runs, and two RBI.
Jonesport-Beals is on a roll lately: they've won seven of their last nine contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 9-4 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.9 runs over those games. As for Penobscot Valley, they pushed their record up to 14-0 with the victory, which was their seventh straight on the road.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Jonesport-Beals has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 11 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Penobscot Valley struggles in that department as they've been averaging 10.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Jonesport-Beals might still be hurting after the 13-0 defeat they got from Penobscot Valley in their previous meeting back in May of 2023. Can the Royals avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
