Lightridge is on an eight-game streak of home wins, while Independence is on a six-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The Bolts will welcome Independence at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Lightridge 1.2, Independence 3.2) so any runs scored will be well earned.
While Lightridge's victory against Potomac Falls wasn't quite the blowout it was the last time the pair played, they still came out on top. The Bolts won by a run and slipped past the Panthers 4-3. The win continues a trend for the Bolts in their matchups with the Panthers: they've now won four in a row.
Karissa Bowes spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and two unearned) runs on six hits. She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, Avery Sullivan was excellent, going 2-for-4 with two runs, two RBI, and one double. That's the most runs she has posted since back in March. The team also got some help courtesy of Cara Welton, who got on base in all three of her plate appearances with one stolen base and one RBI.
Meanwhile, after a string of nine wins, Independence's good fortune finally ran out on Wednesday. They took a 9-5 hit to the loss column at the hands of Riverside.
Independence saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Emma Stringer, who went 1-for-3 with one home run and three RBI.
Lightridge's victory bumped their record up to 16-0. As for Independence, their loss was their first in the region, dropping their region record down to 5-1 and their overall record down to 12-2.
Independence's hitters will have their work cut out for them on Tuesday. Lightridge has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 9.7 strikeouts per game. It's a different story for Independence, though, as they've been averaging only 3.2 strikeouts. Will Lightridge keep running through batters, or will Independence buck the trend?
Lightridge took their win against Independence in their previous matchup back in May of 2024 by a conclusive 9-0 score. Will the Bolts repeat their success, or do Independence have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
