Hillsboro is 0-4 against Jersey since April of 2017 but things could change on Thursday. The Hiltoppers will square off against the Panthers at 4:30 p.m.
Things were looking good for Hillsboro after they put the first runs on the board on Monday, but unfortunately for them things went downhill from there. They took a 9-4 hit to the loss column at the hands of Mater Dei.
Anika Camp
| 04/07/25 vs Mater Dei | 6 |
| 03/28/25 vs Greenville | 13 |
| 03/22/25 vs Wesclin | 12 |
| 03/17/25 @ Lincolnwood | 5 |
Anika Camp spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and six unearned) runs on 13 hits and racked up six Ks. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in four consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, Lainey Lessman and Briley Kirby stepped up to the plate in a big way. Lessman scored a run while going 2-for-3, while Kirby scored a run while going 2-for-3. The team also got some help courtesy of Ella Greenwood, who went 1-for-3 with one triple and two RBI.
Meanwhile, Jersey sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 5-3 win over Litchfield on Wednesday. The victory continues a trend for the Panthers in their matchups with the Purple Panthers: they've now won five in a row.
Jersey got a massive performance out of Anna Kribs, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 3-for-4. Jada Baro also deserves some recognition as she hit her first double of the season.
Jersey was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .387. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .303 or higher in three consecutive matches.
Hillsboro now has a losing record of 4-5. As for Jersey, the win got them back to even at 3-3-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Hillsboro has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Jersey struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 9.3 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Hillsboro suffered a grim 22-0 defeat to Jersey when the teams last played back in April of 2023. Can the Hiltoppers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
