Salem and Cox are an even 5-5 against one another since March of 2019, but likely not for long. The Sundevils will take on the Falcons at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Both come into the contest bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Salem took a ten-run defeat the last time they faced off against Ocean Lakes, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Sundevils' pitcher stepped up to hand the Dolphins a 1-0 shutout on Wednesday. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Sundevils have posted since May 9, 2024.
Lauren Burchuk
| 04/09/25 vs Ocean Lakes | 0 |
| 04/03/25 @ Kellam | 2 |
| 04/01/25 vs Green Run | 1 |
| 03/27/25 @ First Colonial | 1 |
The result came thanks to Lauren Burchuk's shutout, as she gave up just three hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Salem's win was truly a team effort as two different players contributed at least one hit. One of them was Madison Twiford, who scored a run while going 1-for-2.
Meanwhile, Cox hadn't done well against Tallwood recently (they were 2-7 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Wednesday. The Falcons blew past the Lions 11-0. The match marked the Falcons' most dominant victory of the season so far.
Lindsey Baber and Daisy Kriz did most of the damage at the plate: Baber scored three runs and stole four bases while going 2-for-2, while Kriz went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one triple. That's the most stolen bases Baber has posted since back in April of 2024. Lyric Alfier also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.
The win made it two in a row for Cox and bumps their season record up to 5-2. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 13.5 runs over those games. As for Salem, they pushed their record up to 3-4 with the win, which was their third straight at home.
Salem was able to grind out a solid victory over Cox in their previous matchup back in May of 2024, winning 7-4. Will the Sundevils repeat their success, or do the Falcons have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
