The Cottondale Hornets will challenge the Sneads Pirates at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Cottondale will be looking to extend their current six-game winning streak.
Cottondale is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Tuesday. Everything went their way against Poplar Springs as they made off with a 15-0 win. Considering the Hornets have won eight contests by more than six runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.
Kendall Benefield and Aspen Odom did most of the damage at the plate: Benefield went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, three RBI, and two runs, while Odom went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs and three RBI. That's the most stolen bases Benefield has posted since back in March. The team also got some help courtesy of Paige Carter, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Cottondale always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .759. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Sneads beat Malone 8-3 on Tuesday. The victory continues a trend for the Pirates in their matchups with the Tigers: they've now won seven in a row.
Naryah Dudley was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out 12 batters over seven innings while giving up three earned runs off eight hits (and only one walk). Dudley was also stellar in the batter's box, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run and two runs.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Reagan Tyus, who got on base in all four of her plate appearances with three stolen bases, one run, and one RBI. She is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as she's now snagged at least one in each of the last three games she's played. Madison Baker also deserves some recognition as she brought in her first RBI of the season.
Cottondale's record now sits at 16-4. As for Sneads, their record is now 4-12.
Cottondale took their win against Sneads when the teams last played back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 12-5 score. Do the Hornets have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Pirates turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.