Nichols is 0-10 against St. Mary since May of 2019 but things could change on Monday. The Vikings will head out on the road to square off against the Lancers at 4:30 p.m. Nichols has given up an average of 9 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Nichols managed to slip by Mount Mercy Academy the last time these teams faced off, but didn't have those same answers this time around. The Vikings came up short against the Magic on Tuesday, falling 12-6. Vikings fans who chose to attend the game sure picked the wrong one: it was the first time the team's lost against the Magic since on Tuesday.
Reyes Rodriguez
| 04/07/25 @ Nardin Academy | 2 |
| 04/24/25 vs St. Mary's | 2 |
| 04/04/25 @ East Aurora | 3 |
| 04/28/25 vs Nardin Academy | 3 |
| 04/29/25 vs Mount Mercy Academy | 8 |
Reyes Rodriguez spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and 11 unearned) runs on ten hits and racked up eight Ks. Those eight strikeouts set a new season-high mark for her.
At the plate, Ellery Jaworowicz was cooking despite her team's loss, going 3-for-4 with one home run, two stolen bases, and three runs. That home run marked the first that she has launched this season. Brynn Bacak was another key player, going 2-for-4 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI.
Meanwhile, St. Mary's had already won five in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 8.6 runs) and they went ahead and made it six on Tuesday. They never let the Sharks get on the board and left with an 11-0 win. Considering the Lancers have won five games by more than nine runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.
St. Mary's also got a great performance from Olivia Lange as she didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit while striking out seven over five innings pitched. Lange has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, Ella Dovey was a standout: she went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. She is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as she's now snagged at least one in each of the last three games she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Alexa Saunders, who went 2-for-3 with four RBI.
St. Mary's was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .435. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .433 or higher in four consecutive matches.
St. Mary's victory was their eighth straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 7-3. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.3 runs on average over those games. As for Nichols, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-2.
Monday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Nichols hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .361. However, it's not like St. Mary's struggles in that department as they've averaged .389. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Nichols suffered a grim 15-5 defeat to St. Mary's in their previous meeting last Thursday. Can the Vikings avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
