Rochester and Tippecanoe Valley are an even 5-5 against one another since May of 2016, but likely not for long. The Zebras will be playing in front of their home fans against the Vikings at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Rochester is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.4 runs per game this season.
On Thursday, Rochester got the win against Wabash by a conclusive 8-2. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Zebras.
Bria Rensberger
| 05/08/25 vs Wabash | 15 |
| 05/07/25 vs Maconaquah | 15 |
| 04/30/25 @ Manchester | 18 |
| 04/28/25 @ Northfield | 16 |
| 04/26/25 vs Bremen | 17 |
| + 5 more games |
Bria Rensberger was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out 15 batters over seven innings while giving up just two earned runs off two hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts in ten consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with three RBI and one double.
In other batting news, Aubrey Wilson was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs and one stolen base. That's the most hits she has posted over her last 11 matchups. Another player making a difference was Brailyn Hunter, who went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI.
Meanwhile, Tippecanoe Valley entered their tilt with Bremen on Thursday with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. They walked away with a 4-1 victory over the Lions.
Like Rochester, Tippecanoe Valley also got a great game from a two-way player: Dalynne Bussard. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only one hit while striking out 12 over seven innings pitched. Bussard was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with two RBI and one double.
Bussard wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Naomi Gaerte, who went 1-for-3 with one run.
Rochester's win bumped their record up to 13-4. As for Tippecanoe Valley, their victory bumped their record up to 9-6.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Rochester has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 11.4 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Tippecanoe Valley struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 9.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Rochester came out on top in a nail-biter against Tippecanoe Valley when the teams last played back in May of 2024, sneaking past 6-4. Will the Zebras repeat their success, or do the Vikings have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
