The Columbia Raiders will challenge the Brookside Cardinals at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Columbia barely beat Wellington the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. The Raiders blew past the Dukes 17-5 on Monday. While the Raiders didn't have the best season last year (they finished 5-9), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.
Sadie Schulke was a major factor no matter where she played. She tossed five innings while giving up three earned (and two unearned) runs off seven hits. Schulke was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with three RBI and one stolen base.
In other pitching news, Alina Jones looked comfortable as she pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in four consecutive appearances.
Back at the plate, Columbia let Grace Anderson and Kenzie Shackelton run wild. Anderson went 4-for-5 with three runs, three doubles, and four RBI, while Shackelton scored four runs and stole three bases while going 2-for-3. Kaitlyn Miller was another key player, scoring three runs and stealing two bases while going 2-for-5.
Columbia always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .556. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Wellington only posted an OBP of .364.
Meanwhile, Brookside can bid farewell to their four-game losing streak thanks to their game on Monday. Their pitcher stepped up to hand Clearview a 20-0 shutout. The Cardinals' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Markie-Ann Aliff made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, keeping things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out 11 over five innings pitched. That's the most strikeouts she has posted since back in May of 2024. She was also big at the plate, scoring four runs and stealing three bases while going 2-for-4.
In other batting news, Khloe Racz and Cailynnn Weppelmen did most of the damage at the plate: Racz scored three runs and stole five bases while going 3-for-4, while Weppelmen scored three runs and stole four bases while going 3-for-3. That's the most hits Racz has posted since back in May of 2024. Another player making a difference was Leann Clark, who scored two runs while going 2-for-3.
The win made it two in a row for Columbia and bumps their season record up to 6-1. As for Brookside, their victory was their first in the conference, bumping their conference record up to 1-2 and their overall record up to 3-6.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Columbia has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 9.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Brookside struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 6.9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Columbia couldn't quite finish off Brookside in their previous matchup back in May of 2024 and fell 3-1. Can the Raiders avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
