Lenoir City hasn't had much luck against Heritage recently, but that could start to change on Wednesday. The Panthers will challenge the Mountaineers at 5:30 p.m. Lenoir City is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.8 runs per game this season.
If Lenoir City beats Heritage with six runs on Wednesday, it's going to be the squad's new lucky number: they've won their past two contests with that exact score. The Panthers never let Sequoyah get on the board and left with a 6-0 win on Tuesday. The Panthers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won ten games by six runs or more this season.
Kymbal Williams made a splash while hitting and pitching. She didn't allow a single earned run over seven innings pitched. She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going a perfect 1-for-1 with two RBI and one run.
Williams wasn't the only one making solid contact as six players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Sophie Reed, who went 1-for-3 with one run and one double. Kylee Hanson was another, going 1-for-3 with two runs and one double.
Meanwhile, it may have taken nine innings to finish the job, but Heritage ultimately got the result they hoped for on Monday. They came out on top in a nail-biter against Sequoyah, sneaking past 5-4. The victory was familiar territory for the Mountaineers, who have now won four matches in a row.
Like Lenoir City, Heritage also got a great game from a two-way player: Katelyn Russell. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only one hit over 4.2 innings pitched. Russell was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three RBI and one double.
In other batting news, Carly Smith was incredible, going 3-for-5 with one home run, three runs, and one double. That's the most runs she has posted since back in March.
Heritage's win was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 23-8. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 7.8 runs over those games. As for Lenoir City, their win ended a four-game drought on the road and puts them at 15-10.
Lenoir City's speedy runners might be the difference in Wednesday's contest. The Panthers have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.5 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Heritage, though, as they've been averaging only 1.2 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Lenoir City continue to outrun the ball?
Lenoir City couldn't quite get it done against Heritage in their previous matchup back in April as they fell 12-7. Can the Panthers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
