Softball Recap: Medford Raiders vs. Merrill Bluejays        
        
		
            
 If Medford was riding high  off their  15-8 takedown of Northland Pines last Thursday, their most recent game may have dampened their spirits a bit. The Medford Raiders fell just short of the Merrill Bluejays by a score of  14-12 on Friday. Medford was given a dose of their own medicine in this game as Merrill apparently hadn't forgotten their  defeat the last time these teams played  back in May of 2023.
  Zayleah Leonhardt was cooking despite her team's loss,   going 2-for-4 with a  home run and two  RBI.  Laney Hraby was another key contributor,  scoring a  run while going 3-for-4.
 On Merrill's side,  Mady Graap was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she  tossed two innings while giving up   no  earned runs off   two  hits. Graap was also big at the plate,  scoring a  run.
 In other batting news,  the team  relied heavily on  Lexi Ollhoff, who  went 3-for-4 with a  home run, five  RBI,  and two  runs. Another player making a difference was  Caina Orzech, who  scored two  runs and  stole a base while going 3-for-5.
 Medford's loss dropped their record down to 11-8. As for Merrill, their victory  ended  a  five-game drought on the road  and  puts them at 6-14.
 Medford will square off against Fall Creek at 12:00  p.m.  on Saturday. Fall Creek will roll in looking for their  21st straight  win, something Medford surely won't give up without a fight. As for Merrill, they will look to defend their home field  on Monday against Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln at 4:30  p.m.
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