Softball Recap: Stryker Comes Up Short

Stryker extended their losing streak (dating back to last season) to ten on Wednesday, dropping their season record down to 0-9 in the process. They lost 26-0 to the Hilltop Cadets. Unfortunately, that's the second time they've come up short against the Cadets this season, as they also lost their prior matchup 28-0 on April 9th.

As for Hilltop, they are on a roll lately: they've won six of their last seven matches. That's provided a nice bump to their 16-3 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 15.9 runs over those games.

For Hilltop's part, Giada Rising was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, keeping things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out 12 over five innings pitched. Those 12 strikeouts gave Rising a new career-high. She was also big at the plate, getting on base in four of her six plate appearances with four runs and one RBI.

In other batting news, Kenley Routt was a standout: she went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs, one triple, and two RBI. Another player making a difference was Maggie Altman, who went 3-for-4 with three runs and three RBI.

Coincidentally, Stryker and Hilltop will both be playing Pettisville the next time they take the field. The Cadets will host the Blackbirds at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, while the Panthers will head out to face them at 5:00 p.m. on Monday.