The Springs Valley Blackhawks will look to defend their home field on Monday against the Eastern Musketeers at 5:30 p.m. The two teams are strolling into their matches after big wins in their previous games.
Springs Valley is headed into the game fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. Their pitcher stepped up to hand Rock Creek Academy a 20-0 shutout on Friday. The high-flying hitting performance was a huge turnaround for Springs Valley considering their one-run performance the contest before.
Lily Hickman made a splash while hitting and pitching. She kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out 13 over five innings pitched. Hickman has been consistent recently: she hasn't pitched less than five innings every time she's pitched this season. Hickman was also big at the plate, scoring two runs while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances.
In other batting news, Karson Dalton was a standout: she scored two runs while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances. Elliott Wininger was another key contributor, scoring three runs while going 2-for-3.
Meanwhile, Eastern came into Thursday's matchup having lost five straight, but that streak is now in the rearview. They were the clear victor by a 22-3 margin over Austin on Thursday. The high-flying hitting performance was a huge turnaround for Eastern considering their one-run performance the match before.
Like Springs Valley, Eastern also got a great game from a two-way player: Sidney Patton. On the mound, Patton struck out seven batters over four innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off eight hits (and not a single walk). Meanwhile, Bracie Jackson tossed an inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. At the plate, Patton scored two runs while going 2-for-5, while Jackson scored three runs and stole a base while getting on base in five of her six plate appearances.
In other batting news, Eastern got a massive performance out of Raelynn Henderson, who got on base in all six of her plate appearances with four RBI and two runs. Another player making a difference was Adriana Dolleris, who scored three runs and stole a base while going 3-for-4.
Springs Valley is on a roll lately: they've won four of their last five games, which provided a nice bump to their 5-3 record this season. As for Eastern, their victory (their first of the season) made their record 1-4.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Springs Valley has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 12.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Eastern struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.6. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Springs Valley might still be hurting after the 10-0 loss they got from Eastern in their previous matchup back in April of 2023. Will Springs Valley have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
