The Luling Eagles will head out on the road to challenge the Karnes City Badgers at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Luling's pitching crew has only allowed 3.9 runs per game this season, so Karnes City's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Luling will roll into the contest after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up one run last Saturday, then bounced right back against Stockdale on Tuesday. Luling blew past Stockdale 12-1. The result was nothing new for the Eagles, who have now won eight matchups by nine runs or more so far this season.
Nedeyin Magallanez made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single hit and allowed only one earned run while striking out ten over five innings pitched. Furthermore, she didn't allow a single hit, the first time she has blanked an opponent since back in February. She was also big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two triples, three RBI, and two runs. Those two triples gave her a new career-high.
In other batting news, Serenity Nunez was incredible, firing off two home runs, five RBI, and one stolen base while going 3-for-3. Another player making a difference was Ahriyana Lopez, who scored two runs while going 2-for-3.
Luling lost a few balls and finished the game with three home runs. That's the most home runs they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, Karnes City lost 16-3 to Poth on Tuesday. The loss continues a trend for the Badgers in their meetings with the Pirates: they've now lost eight in a row.
Karnes City saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Laila Garcia, who went 1-for-3 with one RBI.
The win got Luling back to even at 9-9. As for Karnes City, their defeat dropped their record down to 7-5.
Friday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Luling hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .375. However, it's not like Karnes City struggles in that department as they've averaged .428. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Luling took their victory against Karnes City in their previous meeting back in March of 2022 by a conclusive 20-5. Does Luling have another victory up their sleeve, or will Karnes City turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
