Hardaway is 0-10 against Columbus since September of 2019 but things could change on Thursday. The Hawks will face off against the Blue Devils at 5:30 p.m. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Hardaway took a loss when they played away from home on Monday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Tuesday. They put the hurt on Kendrick with a sharp 19-3 victory. The Hawks haven't had any issues with the Cherokees recently, as the game was their fourth consecutive win against them.
Naryah Wilson was a major factor no matter where she played. She struck out six batters over two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and not a single walk). She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in nine consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going a perfect 1-for-1 with two stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI.
Reyana Heard
| 09/30/25 vs Kendrick | 7 |
| 09/04/25 vs Jordan | 3 |
| 08/26/25 @ Kendrick | 3 |
| 09/23/24 vs Carver | 3 |
| 09/18/25 vs Sumter County | 2 |
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Reyana Heard, who got on base in all three of her plate appearances with seven stolen bases and three runs. Those seven stolen bases gave her a new career-high. Shelby Huff also deserves some recognition as she hit her first triple of the season.
Hardaway always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .960. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Columbus never got on the board in their matchup on Monday, but that sure wasn't the case in their game against Sumter County on Tuesday. They blew past the Panthers 15-1. Considering the Blue Devils' hitters had been struggling lately, the high-scoring outing was a much-needed turnaround.
Like Hardaway, Columbus also got a great game from a two-way player: Addi Hart. On the mound, she struck out ten batters over five innings while giving up just one earned run off one hit. Hart was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with two runs and one stolen base.
In other batting news, Columbus let Aubrie McBride and Mya Wiggins run wild. McBride went 2-for-3 with three RBI, one stolen base, and one run, while Wiggins went 1-for-2 with three RBI, two runs, and one stolen base. Grace Scott was another key player, going 2-for-3 with two RBI and one run.
Hardaway's record is now 11-8. As for Columbus, their record now sits at 9-13.
Columbus' hitters will have their work cut out for them on Thursday. Hardaway has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.3 strikeouts per game. It's a different story for Columbus, though, as they've been averaging only 3.5 strikeouts. Will Hardaway keep running through batters, or will the Blue Devils buck the trend?
Hardaway suffered a grim 17-1 defeat to Columbus in their previous meeting two weeks ago. Can the Hawks avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
