Independence has gone a perfect 8-0 against Lutheran West recently and they'll look to pad the win column further on Tuesday. The Blue Devils will face off against the Longhorns at 7:15 p.m. Independence will aim to continue their three-game streak of scoring more runs each matchup than the last.
Independence had to skate by with only a two-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the ten-run drubbing they dealt New London on Monday. The Blue Devils never let the Wildcats get on the board and left with a 10-0 win.
Lila Manfredonia made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits (and not a single walk). She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in six consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with one home run and two RBI.
Paige Priebe
| 04/28/25 @ New London | 2 |
| 04/25/25 @ South Range | 1 |
| 03/27/25 @ Berkshire | 1 |
| 05/10/24 vs Smithville | 1 |
In other batting news, Macey McGhee and Paige Priebe did most of the damage at the plate: McGhee went a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs, two RBI, and one double, while Priebe went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one double. Those two stolen bases gave Priebe a new career-high. Brooke Vollman also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.
Independence hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as New London struck out eight times.
Meanwhile, Lutheran West waltzed into their game on Monday with two straight wins... but they left with three. They put the hurt on the Trojans with a sharp 24-7 victory. The Longhorns might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won five contests by eight runs or more this season.
Like Independence, Lutheran West also got a great game from a two-way player: Gabriella 'Gabi' List. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run while striking out eight over five innings pitched. List was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with three stolen bases, four runs, and three RBI.
In other batting news, Aryana 'Ary' Garcia was a standout: she went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI. Leah Miller was another key player, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with four runs, two stolen bases, and two RBI.
Independence's record now sits at 11-3. As for Lutheran West, their record is now 8-4.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Tuesday as neither team is afraid to steal. Independence has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.9 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Lutheran West struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 16.4 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Independence took their win against Lutheran West in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 15-4 score. Do the Blue Devils have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Longhorns turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
