The University Christian Christians will head out on the road to challenge the Ridgeview Panthers at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.
Ridgeview will face off against a team with plenty of momentum: University Christian extended their winning streak to three on Monday. The Christians were the clear victors by a 12-1 margin over Keystone Heights. The result was nothing new for the Christians, who have now won 11 matches by ten runs or more so far this season.
Dixie Tessier made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she tossed five innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 14 consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with four RBI, one run, and one double.
In other batting news, Mila Lackowski was incredible, scoring two runs while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances. What's more, she posted three RBI, the most she's had since back in March. Lydia Smith was another key player, scoring three runs while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances.
University Christian was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .393. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .321 or higher in four consecutive contests.
Meanwhile, Ridgeview came into Tuesday's game having lost three straight, but that streak is now in the rearview. They put the hurt on Orange Park with a sharp 12-3 victory on Tuesday.
Like University Christian, Ridgeview also got a great game from a two-way player: Saige Bialek. She struck out ten batters over 6.2 innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off three hits (and not a single walk). Bialek was also big at the plate, scoring a run while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances.
In other batting news, Ridgeview got a big performance out of Emma Lundy, who scored two runs while going 2-for-5. Kasey Watts also deserves some recognition as she hit her first double of the season.
University Christian pushed their record up to 14-3 with the win, which was their fifth straight on the road dating back to last season. The road victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.6 runs on average over those games. As for Ridgeview, their record is now 7-13.
Both University Christian and Ridgeview just can't seem to miss. The Christians have been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9.5 hits per game. However, it's not like Ridgeview struggles in that department as they've been averaging only 5.5 hits. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Everything went University Christian's way against Ridgeview when the teams last played back in March of 2024, as University Christian made off with an 8-0 win. Do the Christians have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Panthers turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
