The Freeport Pretzels will venture away from home to take on the Belvidere Buccaneers at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Both come into the contest bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Freeport was handed a 14-run loss in their previous outing, but that didn't affect their clutch gene on Wednesday. They sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with an 8-7 win over Rockford Auburn. The victory continues a trend for the Pretzels in their matchups with the Knights: they've now won three in a row.
Mackenzee Matz made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over seven innings while giving up four earned (and three unearned) runs off nine hits (and only one walk). Matz was also big at the plate, getting on base in three of her five plate appearances with one run and one RBI.
In other batting news, Grace Muench was incredible, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and one double. Another player making a difference was Kinleigh Jones, who went 1-for-4 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one double.
Meanwhile, Belvidere was able to grind out a solid win over Boylan Catholic on Wednesday, taking the game 9-6.
Kyleigh Kamholtz spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered four earned (and two unearned) runs on 12 hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in nine consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, Elli Delmore and Emily Taylor did most of the damage at the plate: Delmore went 3-for-4 with two runs and one stolen base, while Taylor went 2-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one double. Those three hits gave Delmore a new career-high. Brecken Ralston-Walsh was another key player, going 2-for-4 with two runs and one RBI.
Belvidere 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 four consecutive games.
Belvidere now has a winning record of 11-10. As for Freeport, they now also have a winning record of 11-10.
Freeport might still be hurting after the 7-1 defeat they got from Belvidere in their previous matchup on April 6th. Can the Pretzels avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
