The Middlesex Chargers will face off against the Chincoteague Ponies at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Middlesex's pitching crew has only allowed 3.2 runs per game this season, so Chincoteague's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Middlesex barely beat King & Queen Central the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. The Chargers were the clear victors by a 21-3 margin over the Royal Tigers on Thursday. The result was nothing new for the Chargers, who have now won seven contests by six runs or more so far this season.
Courtney Jessie and Magen Daniels made a big impact no matter where they played. On the mound, Jessie pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Daniels tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks any time she's pitched this season. At the plate, Jessie got on base in four of her five plate appearances with two RBI and one run, while Daniels went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, two doubles, and two RBI. That's the most doubles Daniels has posted since back in March of 2024.
In other batting news, Libby Oliver was a standout: she got on base in all five of her plate appearances with three runs, one triple, and one stolen base. That triple marked the first that she has hit this season. Carly Jessie was another key player, getting on base in all five of her plate appearances with three RBI, one triple, and one run.
Middlesex always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .857. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Chincoteague got themselves on the board against Holly Grove Christian on Wednesday, but Holly Grove Christian never followed suit. They walked away with a 4-0 win over the Eagles. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Ponies.
Meredith Wright was excellent, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs and one RBI. Another player making a difference was Faith Stadler, who went 1-for-2 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Middlesex's victory was their fourth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 8-5. Those road wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 16.3 runs over those games. As for Chincoteague, they now have a winning record of 5-4.
Middlesex couldn't quite get it done against Chincoteague when the teams last played back in April of 2024 as they fell 8-3. Can the Chargers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
