The Bear River Bears will venture away from home to challenge the Ridgeline Riverhawks at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. Bear River is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.1 runs per game this season.
Bear River is probably headed into the match with a chip on their shoulder considering Riverton just ended the team's seven-game winning streak on Wednesday. They fell just short of the Silverwolves by a score of 7-5. The loss put an end to the Bears' undefeated start to the season.
Kate Wilson
| 03/12/25 vs Riverton | 11 |
| 03/11/25 vs Logan | 9 |
| 03/08/25 @ Crimson Cliffs | 7 |
| 03/08/25 @ Desert Hills | 5 |
| 03/07/25 vs North Sanpete | 12 |
| + 2 more games |
Kate Wilson spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered five earned (and two unearned) runs on 13 hits and racked up 11 Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts any time she's pitched this season.
At the plate, Bella Dougals was cooking despite her team's loss, going 2-for-3 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. Luci Roche was another key player, going 1-for-4 with one home run and three RBI.
Dougals wasn't the only one working in the home run department: Bear River lost a few balls and finished the game with two home runs. That's the most home runs they've posted since back in April of 2024.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Ridgeline, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Saturday. They never let Sky View get on the board and left with a 9-0 win on Tuesday. The victory was some much needed relief for the Riverhawks as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.
Brielle Gardiner made a big impact no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowed only one hit while striking out seven over seven innings pitched. Gardiner was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with one triple, two RBI, and one double. That double marked the first that she hit this season.
In other batting news, Ava Buttars was incredible, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-3. Those hits were her first of the season. Another player making a difference was Olivia Nielsen, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI.
Ridgeline's win was their ninth straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 3-4. They've dominated over that stretch too, winning by an average of 9.2 runs. As for Bear River, their loss was their first of the season and makes their record 7-1.
Ridgeline's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Bear River has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .438. It's a different story for Ridgeline, though, as they've only averaged .353. Will they be able to contain Bear River's hitters?
Bear River suffered a grim 9-3 defeat to Ridgeline in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Can Bear River avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
