Ware Shoals is on a three-game streak of home losses, and Thornwell a four-game streak of away losses. However, someone's due for a change in luck on Wednesday. The Ware Shoals Hornets will look to defend their home field against the Thornwell Saints at 7:00 p.m.
Ware Shoals fell victim to Dixie and their airtight pitching crew on Tuesday. They lost 10-0 to Dixie.
Thornwell never got on the board in their matchup on Friday, but that sure wasn't the case in their game against Laurens Academy on Monday. They put the hurt on the Crusaders with a sharp 22-15 victory. The Saints might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won eight games by seven runs or more this season.
Lexi Hazel and Camden Nelson made a splash no matter where they played. Throwing, Hazel pitched 1.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Nelson struck out eight batters over 5.1 innings while giving up three earned (and eight unearned) runs off six hits. Hazel has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances. At the plate, Hazel got on base in five of her six plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and one double, while Nelson got on base in five of her six plate appearances with two runs and one RBI. What's more, Hazel posted three hits, the most she's had since back in March.
In other batting news, Bri Coats was incredible, getting on base in all four of her plate appearances with one home run, four runs, and two stolen bases. That's the most runs she has posted since back in March. The team also got some help courtesy of Emmi Oggenfuss, who got on base in all five of her plate appearances with three RBI, one stolen base, and one run.
Thornwell was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .400. They are a perfect 7-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Thornwell moved to 8-9 with that win, which also ended their three-game losing streak. As for Ware Shoals, their loss dropped their record down to 2-15.
Ware Shoals got the 'W' when the teams last played back in March against Thornwell by a conclusive 14-2 score. Will the Hornets repeat their success, or do the Saints have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.