Softball Recap: Blue Ridge Falls to Donovan in First Game of Season

Blue Ridge had to hit the road for their first game and it wasn't the result they were hoping for. They fell just short of the Donovan Wildcats by a score of 2-1 on Monday. The Knights were given a dose of their own medicine in this game as the Wildcats apparently hadn't forgotten their loss the last time these teams played back in March of 2024.

Ellie Schlieper

Batters Struck Out (Career)

03/17/25 @ Donovan	19
03/26/24 @ Armstrong	14
05/07/24 vs Sullivan	11
03/27/24 vs Oakwood	11
04/16/24 vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda	10

Ellie Schlieper spent all 9.1 innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned runs on eight hits and racked up 19 Ks. The dominant performance gave her a new career-high in strikeouts.

On the hitting side, Blue Ridge saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Presley Hardesty, who went 1-for-3 with one double and one RBI.

Both teams are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Blue Ridge will look to take advantage of their home field for the first time this season as they take on Rantoul at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. As for Donovan, a feisty cat fight will be fought as Donovan Wildcats face off against Milford Bearcats at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.