Baker is 2-8 against Northview since April of 2019 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Thursday. The Baker Gators will welcome the Northview Chiefs at 6:00 p.m. The two teams have allowed few runs on average, (Baker 3.7, Northview 2.9) so any runs scored will be well earned.
On Wednesday, Baker earned a 9-4 victory over Pensacola Catholic. The Gators haven't had any issues with the Crusaders recently, as the game was their fourth consecutive win against them.
Abigail Griffin made a splash no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out 13 batters over seven innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits. Griffin was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 2-for-5.
In other batting news, Michayla Rose and Makayla Hopps did most of the damage at the plate: Rose scored two runs while going 2-for-4, while Hopps scored a run while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances. Rose also hit a double, marking her first of the season. Emily Whiddon was another key player, getting on base in three of her five plate appearances with one stolen base and two RBI.
Baker kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Pensacola Catholic only managed five hits.
Meanwhile, Northview came tearing into Tuesday's matchup with three straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 7.3 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They were the clear victor by an 8-1 margin over the Tigers. The result was nothing new for the Chiefs, who have now won four games by seven runs or more so far this season.
Like Baker, Northview also got a great game from a two-way player: Jamison Gilman. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching four innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. Gilman has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring three runs and stealing Three bases. while going 3-for-3. That's the most hits she has posted since back in April of 2024.
In other batting news, Kylee Langham was excellent, scoring two runs and stealing Two bases. while getting on base in two of her four plate appearances. That's the most stolen bases she has posted since back in April of 2024.
Northview's victory was their fifth straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 5-2. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.2 runs on average over those games. As for Baker, their win bumped their record up to 5-2.
Baker suffered a grim 12-0 defeat to Northview in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Can Baker avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
