The Independence/Gilmanton Indees will head out to challenge the Augusta Beavers at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Independence/Gilmanton will aim to continue their three-game streak of scoring more runs each contest than the last.
Independence/Gilmanton lost a heartbreaker the last time they played Cochrane-Fountain City, but it's fair to say they got their revenge given the result of Tuesday's matchup. The Indees' pitcher stepped up to hand the Pirates a 7-0 shutout on Tuesday. The win was some much needed relief for the Indees as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.
Not much got past Nora Schank, who gave up just four hits and racked up ten Ks to keep Cochrane-Fountain City off the board. Schank has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Hannah Ekern and Harper Symicek did most of the damage at the plate: Ekern went 1-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base, while Symicek went 2-for-3 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one double. That triple marked the first that Ekern has hit this season. Leah Steagerwald was another key player, going 3-for-4 with one stolen base and one run.
Meanwhile, Augusta fell victim to McDonell Central and their airtight pitching crew on Thursday. They lost 6-0 to the Macks. It was the first time this season that the Beavers let down their fans at home.
Augusta saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Rachel West, who went 1-for-2 with one stolen base.
Augusta's defeat dropped their record down to 13-2. As for Independence/Gilmanton, they picked up their first road victory, bumping their record up to 4-6.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Friday as neither team is afraid to steal. Independence/Gilmanton has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.9 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Augusta struggles in that department as they've been averaging 2.9 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Independence/Gilmanton might still be hurting after the 14-4 loss they got from Augusta in their previous meeting back in May of 2025. Can the Indees avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
