Hilltop hasn't had much luck against North Central recently, but that could start to change on Wednesday. The Cadets will head out to challenge the Eagles at 4:15 p.m. Both teams are coming into the matchup red-hot, with Hilltop sitting on three straight victories and North Central on four.
Hilltop came out on top against Edon on Tuesday thanks in part to the team's impressive five-run seventh inning. The Cadets walked away with an 8-5 win over the Bombers.
Brennan Dempsey
| 05/12/26 @ Edon | 5 |
| 05/07/26 vs Gorham Fayette | 3 |
| 04/30/26 vs North Central | 4 |
| 04/24/26 vs Edon | 3 |
| 04/23/26 @ Holgate | 1 |
| 04/20/26 vs Erie-Mason | 9 |
Brennan Dempsey was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing 4.2 innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off six hits. What's more, he posted five strikeouts, the most he's had since back in April. He was also big at the plate, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with one stolen base and one run.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Toby Hartman, who went 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. Another player making a difference was Alejandro Rubalcava, who went 1-for-4 with two RBI and one run.
Meanwhile, it may have taken ten innings to finish the job, but North Central ultimately got the result they hoped for on Monday. They had just enough and edged out Hudson 4-3.
Like Hilltop, North Central also got a great game from a two-way player: Easton Fidler. On the mound, he pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Fidler was also solid in the batter's box, going 4-for-5 with two RBI.
Fidler wasn't the only one making solid contact as two players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Briggs Fiser, who went 2-for-4 with two runs.
Hilltop's record now sits at 12-7. As for North Central, their record is now 11-5.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Wednesday as neither team is afraid to steal. Hilltop has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.3 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like North Central struggles in that department as they've been averaging 4.3 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Hilltop was able to grind out a solid victory over North Central when the teams last played two weeks ago, winning 9-5. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Cadets since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
