vs
| 04/09/25 - Home | 28-0 W |
| 04/30/24 - Away | 21-0 W |
| 04/05/24 - Home | 18-2 W |
| 04/27/23 - Away | 11-0 W |
| 04/04/23 - Home | 10-8 W |
| + 5 more games |
Hilltop is a perfect 10-0 against Stryker since March of 2019 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Wednesday. The Cadets will square off against the Panthers at 4:30 p.m. Hilltop's pitching crew has only allowed three runs per game this season, so Stryker's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Hilltop had to skate by with only a two-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 24-run drubbing they dealt North Central on Tuesday. The Cadets never let the Eagles get on the board and left with a 24-0 win. The result was nothing new for the Cadets, who have now won 13 games by seven runs or more so far this season.
Kelsy Connolly made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only one hit while striking out 14 over five innings pitched. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in ten consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 4-for-5 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI.
In other batting news, Hilltop let Sophia Crossgrove and Kenley Routt run wild. Crossgrove got on base in three of her six plate appearances with four runs, three RBI, and one stolen base, while Routt got on base in five of her six plate appearances with four runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. That's the most runs Crossgrove has posted over her last 12 matchups. Another player making a difference was Sophie Graham, who got on base in all three of her plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Stryker was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their ninth straight defeat dating back to last season. They lost 21-3 to Edon. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest loss the Panthers have suffered against the Bombers since May 10, 2018.
Stryker saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Addalee Fulk, who went 1-for-3 with one run and one RBI. That run marked the first that Fulk has scored this season.
Stryker's defeat dropped their record down to 0-8. As for Hilltop, their victory bumped their record up to 15-3.
Hilltop took their win against Stryker in their previous matchup on April 9th by a conclusive 28-0 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Cadets since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
