The Smoky Valley Vikings will square off against the Halstead Dragons at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Smoky Valley is coming into the game hot, having won their last four games.
On Tuesday, Smoky Valley was able to grind out a solid win over Larned, taking the game 9-5.
Riley Neywick
| 04/14/26 vs Larned | 0 |
| 04/10/26 vs Hillsboro | 1 |
| 04/07/26 vs Hesston | 2 |
Riley Neywick made a big impact no matter where she played. She tossed five innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with three RBI.
Smoky Valley was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .500. They are a perfect 6-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Meanwhile, Halstead made easy work of Hillsboro on Friday and carried off an 11-1 victory. The Dragons might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won three matchups by ten runs or more this season.
Like Smoky Valley, Halstead also got a great game from a two-way player: Onnyka Nedich. On the mound, she tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Nedich was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three runs and one stolen base.
In other batting news, Quinn Conard and Addison Thompson did most of the damage at the plate: Conard went 1-for-2 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI, while Thompson went 1-for-2 with three RBI, one run, and one double. That's the most RBI Thompson has posted since back in April of 2025. Thea Boese was another key player, going 1-for-3 with two runs and one RBI.
Smoky Valley's win bumped their record up to 8-4. As for Halstead, they now have a winning record of 5-4.
Halstead's hitters will have their work cut out for them on Tuesday. Smoky Valley has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.8 strikeouts per game. It's a different story for Halstead, though, as they've been averaging only 2.7 strikeouts. Will Smoky Valley keep running through batters, or will the Dragons buck the trend?
Smoky Valley might still be hurting after the 16-1 loss they got from Halstead in their previous matchup back in April of 2025. Will the Vikings have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
