The Firelands Falcons are taking a road trip to challenge the Columbia Raiders at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Firelands is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.5 runs per game this season.
On Wednesday, Firelands didn't have quite enough to beat Black River and fell 6-5.
Lexi Schrader
| 04/16/25 @ Black River | 3 |
| 04/15/25 vs Wellington | 3 |
| 04/14/25 @ Oberlin | 2 |
Lexi Schrader was cooking despite her team's loss, scoring three runs and stealing three bases while going 3-for-3. She has been hot recently, having posted two or more stolen bases the last three times she's played. Another player making a difference was Aubrynn Reichle, who went 2-for-4 with one double and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Columbia waltzed into their contest on Wednesday with three straight wins... but they left with four. They were the clear victors by a 19-8 margin over the Red Wolves. The result was nothing new for the Raiders, who have now won six matchups by 11 runs or more so far this season.
Sadie Schulke was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she pitched three innings while giving up just two earned runs off two hits. Schulke was even better at the plate, going 3-for-5 with four RBI, one run, and one double.
In other batting news, Kenzie Shackelton was a standout: she went 3-for-4 with one home run, four runs, and three RBI. That home run was her first of the season. Grace Anderson was another key player, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with three runs, one triple, and two RBI.
Columbia was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .516. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .308 or higher in four consecutive games.
Columbia pushed their record up to 8-1 with the victory, which was their third straight on the road. The road wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 15.3 runs over those games. As for Firelands, their loss dropped their record down to 4-6.
Thursday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Firelands has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .500. However, it's not like Columbia struggles in that department as they've averaged .585. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
