Softball Preview: Hilltop Cadets vs. Antwerp Archers
Hilltop is 6-1 against Antwerp since May of 2017, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Friday. The Hilltop Cadets will head out on the road to face off against the Antwerp Archers at 5:00 p.m. Hilltop is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.8 runs per game this season.
Hilltop stacked a tenth blowout win onto their ever-increasing hoard on Thursday. Everything went their way against Pettisville as Hilltop made off with a 10-0 win. The victory made it back-to-back wins for Hilltop.
Giada Rising was a major factor no matter where she played. She didn't allow a single earned run while striking out nine over six innings pitched. Rising has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive pitching appearances. Rising was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 2-for-3.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Halle Jones, who scored three runs and stole three bases while going 1-for-3. She has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last three times she's played. Joscelyn Layman was another key contributor, scoring a run while going 1-for-4.
Meanwhile, Antwerp fell victim to Tinora and their airtight pitching crew on Thursday. They lost 6-0 to the Rams. Antwerp has now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Elle Clem spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered four earned (and two unearned) runs on eight hits and racked up 14 Ks.
Hilltop has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won 12 of their last 14 matches, which provided a nice bump to their 14-5 record this season. As for Antwerp, their loss dropped their record down to 5-5.
Antwerp's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Hilltop hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .362. It's a different story for Antwerp, though, as they've only averaged .202. Will they be able to contain Hilltop's hitters?
Hilltop beat Antwerp 5-0 in their previous matchup back in May of 2022. Does Hilltop have another victory up their sleeve, or will Antwerp turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
