The Halstead Dragons will head out on the road to take on the Haven Wildcats at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Halstead will aim to continue their three-game streak of scoring more runs each game than the last.
Halstead is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They were the clear victors by a 25-3 margin over Nickerson on Tuesday. The Dragons haven't had any issues with the Panthers recently, as the game was their ninth consecutive victory against them.
Onnyka Nedich made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching 3.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Nedich was even better at the plate, going a perfect 5-for-5 with four runs, two stolen bases, and four RBI. Those four runs gave her a new career-high.
Callyn Divine
| 04/07/26 @ Nickerson | 3 |
| 04/07/26 @ Nickerson | 2 |
| 04/02/26 vs Hesston | 2 |
| 04/24/25 vs Larned | 2 |
| 04/22/25 vs Smoky Valley | 2 |
In other batting news, Callyn Divine and Quinn Conard did most of the damage at the plate: Divine went 2-for-4 with three runs, three RBI, and one triple, while Conard went 2-for-5 with four RBI, two runs, and one double. Those three runs gave Divine a new career-high. Thea Boese was another key player, getting on base in four of her six plate appearances with three runs and one RBI.
Halstead always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .625. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their OBP total in three consecutive contests.
Meanwhile, after soaring to 14 runs the game before, Haven was a bit more limited in their matchup on Tuesday. They fell 7-2 to Pratt. The game marked the Wildcats' lowest-scoring contest so far this season.
Ella Bontrager put in work no matter where she played. She tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up a single hit in three consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with one run and one RBI.
Bontrager wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Rylee Myers, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with one double. That double was Myers' first of the season. Another was Avery Brawner, who went 2-for-3 with one double.
The win got Halstead back to even at 3-3. As for Haven, their loss was their first of the season and makes their record 5-1.
Friday's matchup might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Halstead has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .478. However, it's not like Haven struggles in that department as they've averaged .486. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Halstead beat Haven 8-5 in their previous matchup back in April of 2025. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Dragons since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
