Newton hasn't had much luck against Vernon recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. The Braves will be playing in front of their home fans against the Vikings at 4:00 p.m. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Newton's pitching crew heads into the contest hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Monday. They put the hurt on Hopatcong with a sharp 10-0 win. The victory continues a trend for the Braves in their matchups with the Chiefs: they've now won nine in a row.
Jaida Long
| 04/14/25 vs Hopatcong | 11 |
| 04/10/25 vs Kittatinny Regional | 6 |
| 04/08/25 @ Wallkill Valley | 12 |
| 04/03/25 @ Dover | 13 |
| 04/01/25 vs Sussex County Tech | 10 |
The result came thanks to Jaida Long's shutout, as she gave up just two hits and racked up 11 Ks. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts any time she's pitched this season.
At the plate, Isabella Rubino was a standout: she scored a run while going 2-for-3. She also hit a double, marking her first of the season. Emma Trout was another key player, scoring two runs while going 2-for-3.
Meanwhile, Vernon had already won two in a row and they went ahead and made it three on Wednesday. They blew past the Cougars 15-2. The Vikings' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Miranda Ebbighausen spent all six innings played on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and one unearned) run on seven hits and racked up 12 Ks.
On the hitting side, Vernon got a massive performance out of Riley Lazier, who scored two runs and stole two bases while going 4-for-4. The team also got some help courtesy of Abby Mundhenk, who went 2-for-4 with one home run, four RBI, and one stolen base.
Vernon was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .543. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.
Newton's win bumped their record up to 4-2. As for Vernon, they now have a winning record of 5-4.
Thursday's match will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Newton hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .347. However, it's not like Vernon struggles in that department as they've averaged .418. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other softball content.
