The Ann Sobrato Bulldogs will challenge the Piedmont Hills Pirates at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Ann Sobrato is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.6 runs per game this season.
Ann Sobrato is probably headed into the matchup with a chip on their shoulder considering Live Oak just ended the team's 13-game winning streak on Thursday. They took a 4-0 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Acorns. The shutout was out of character for the Bulldogs seeing as the last time the team failed to score was back in March.
Meanwhile, Piedmont Hills had already won two in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 7.5 runs) and they went ahead and made it three on Monday. They blew past the Dons 10-3. Considering the Pirates have won nine contests by more than six runs this season, Monday's blowout was nothing new.
Travis Linane was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off four hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
In other batting news, Josh Gomez was excellent, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and one double. Piedmont Hills is undefeated when Gomez posts two or more runs, but 6-8 otherwise. Jake Paskert was another key player, going 2-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
Piedmont Hills kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least nine hits in six consecutive games.
Ann Sobrato's defeat was their first in the league, dropping their league record down to 11-1 and their overall record down to 14-3. As for Piedmont Hills, their win bumped their record up to 11-8.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Tuesday as neither team is afraid to steal. Ann Sobrato has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.4 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Piedmont Hills struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3.2 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Ann Sobrato skirted past Piedmont Hills 5-4 in their previous matchup back in February of 2022. Do the Bulldogs have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Pirates turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
