Ponder is 1-8 against Boyd since February of 2019 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Tuesday. The Lions will host the Yellowjackets at 5:00 p.m. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Ponder had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 13-run drubbing they dealt Pilot Point on Saturday. The Lions were the clear victors by a 16-3 margin over the Bearcats. The win continues a trend for the Lions in their matchups with the Bearcats: they've now won four in a row.
Vada Cochrum
| 04/12/25 @ Pilot Point | 6 |
| 04/07/25 vs Whitesboro | 5 |
| 04/04/25 vs Paradise | 9 |
| 04/01/25 vs Huckabay | 9 |
| 03/28/25 vs Valley View | 5 |
| + 10 more games |
Vada Cochrum made a splash no matter where she played. She struck out six batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off three hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts any time she's pitched this season. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI.
In other batting news, Ponder let Tessa Taft and Skyler Medders run wild. Taft scored two runs while going 1-for-4, while Medders scored two runs while going 3-for-5. Grayson Wells was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 1-for-4.
Ponder kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 14 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in six consecutive contests.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Boyd). Their pitcher stepped up to hand Callisburg a 17-0 shutout on Monday. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the team's high-flying offense, the game also marked the team's biggest victory of the season.
Abby Atkinson was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, keeping things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out nine over four innings pitched. Atkinson was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI.
In other batting news, Boyd got a massive performance out of Gabby Salas, who went 3-for-4 with two runs, one triple, and two RBI. Another player making a difference was Savannah Davis, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, one triple, and two RBI.
Boyd is on a roll lately: they've won 11 of their last 12 matches. That's provided a nice bump to their 21-4-2 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.2 runs on average over those games. As for Ponder, their victory bumped their record up to 11-4.
Tuesday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Ponder hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .399. However, it's not like Boyd struggles in that department as they've averaged .360. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Ponder came up short against Boyd in their previous meeting back in March, falling 5-1. Will the Lions have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
