The Rochester Warriors will face off against Pe Ell/Willapa Valley at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Rochester is coming into the contest hot, having won their last five games.
Rochester took a ten-run defeat the last time they faced off against Elma, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Warriors skirted past the Eagles 5-4.
Layna Demers made a big impact no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out ten batters over seven innings while giving up three earned (and one unearned) runs off ten hits (and only one walk). She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one walk in five consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with one home run and two RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Mckenna Vassar, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs and one triple. Another player making a difference was Cheyenne Justice, who earned one run and two stolen bases.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Pe Ell/Willapa Valley). They were the clear victors by a 26-1 margin over Chief Leschi on Tuesday. The result was nothing new for Pe Ell/Willapa Valley, who have now won seven matches by 11 runs or more so far this season.
CJ Sipp was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run and four runs. Those four runs gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Lauren Matlock, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with three runs and two doubles.
Pe Ell/Willapa Valley was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .786. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .316 or higher in ten consecutive games.
Pe Ell/Willapa Valley pushed their record up to 9-3 with the victory, which was their eighth straight at home dating back to last season. The home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.8 runs on average over those games. As for Rochester, their victory bumped their record up to 10-3.
Friday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Rochester has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .478. However, it's not like Pe Ell/Willapa Valley struggles in that department as they've averaged .566. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
