After both having extra time off, the Panther Creek Catamounts and the Middle Creek Mustangs will shake off the rust and duke it out at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The teams are rolling into the game with opposing streaks: Panther Creek has struggled recently with four losses in a row, while Middle Creek will arrive with three straight victories.
Panther Creek might be feeling deja-vu: they lost 8-4 to Green Hope, which was the same score (and result) they got the week prior.
Hannah Welborn made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and scored a run and stole three bases while going 2-for-4. Cassidy Robinson was another key player, going 1-for-4 with one triple, one run, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Middle Creek got the win against Green Level last Wednesday by a conclusive 9-2. The Mustangs might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won three matches by seven runs or more this season.
Hailey Hoeft spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and one unearned) run on four hits and racked up 17 Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in eight consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Tori Gore was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-4. She also put up a double, which was her first of the season. Another player making a difference was Madelyn Herndon, who went 3-for-4 with one triple, one run, and one RBI.
Middle Creek kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 17 hits. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their hit total in three consecutive games.
The win was their first on the road , bumping their record up to 4-6. As for Panther Creek, their defeat dropped their record down to an identical 4-6.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Panther Creek has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Middle Creek struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 7.3 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Panther Creek was able to grind out a solid victory over Middle Creek in their previous matchup back in May of 2024, winning 7-4. Do the Catamounts have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Mustangs turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
