Dayton is 0-9 against Highlands since May of 2015 but things could change on Thursday. The Greendevils will challenge the Bluebirds at 5:00 p.m. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.
Dayton is headed into Thursday's game looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their fourth straight game on Wednesday. They took a 15-10 hit to the loss column at the hands of Newport Central Catholic.
Ella Boyers and Emily Hall did some serious damage despite the final result: Boyers went 3-for-4 with three runs, three RBI, and two doubles, while Hall went 4-for-5 with three stolen bases, two runs, and one double. The team also got some help courtesy of Tayah Smith, who went 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Meanwhile, Highlands waltzed into their contest on Tuesday with 11 straight wins... but they left with 12. Their pitcher stepped up to hand the Rebels an 11-0 shutout. The Bluebirds might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won ten matchups by six runs or more this season.
Kaitlyn Dixon was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit while striking out 14 over five innings pitched. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than eight strikeouts in four consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with two RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Kate Class, who went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, four RBI, and one run. Those four RBI gave her a new career-high. Bailee Class was another key player, going a perfect 1-for-1 with two runs, one double, and one RBI.
Highlands was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .500. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .361 or higher in three consecutive games.
Highlands pushed their record up to 19-5-1 with the win, which was their eighth straight on the road. The road victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.6 runs on average over those games. As for Dayton, their loss was their first in the district, dropping their district record down to 2-1 and their overall record down to 3-10.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Thursday as neither team is afraid to steal. Dayton has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.7 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Highlands struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3.2 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Dayton suffered a grim 12-5 defeat to Highlands when the teams last played back in May of 2024. Can the Greendevils avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
