The Westmont Hilltop Hilltoppers will head out to take on the Richland Rams at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
While Westmont Hilltop didn't have the best season last year (they finished 5-10), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They blew past Bellwood-Antis 11-1 on Thursday. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Hilltoppers.
Addy Dunbar made a splash no matter where she played. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run over seven innings pitched. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up a single walk in three consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with one home run and two RBI. That home run was her first of the season.
Liz Veranese
| 04/17/25 @ Bellwood-Antis | 3 |
| 03/27/25 vs Bishop Carroll | 2 |
| 03/25/25 @ Somerset | 2 |
| 04/16/24 vs Penn Cambria | 2 |
| 03/26/24 vs Somerset | 2 |
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Liz Veranese, who went 3-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI. Those three runs gave her a new career-high. Bella Kist was another key player, going 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Westmont Hilltop kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least 11 hits in three consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Richland). They put the hurt on Greater Johnstown with a sharp 20-4 win on Thursday. The victory continues a trend for the Rams in their matchups with the Trojans: they've now won five in a row.
Marissa Naylor made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing three innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off two hits. Naylor was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with four RBI.
In other batting news, Sophie Burke and Bella Marguccio did most of the damage at the plate: Burke went 3-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI, while Marguccio went 3-for-4 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs. Another player making a difference was Jenna Jordan, who went 2-for-4 with two runs, two RBI, and one double.
Westmont Hilltop's win was their fourth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 6-1. Those road victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 16.8 runs over those games. As for Richland, the win got them back to even at 4-4.
Westmont Hilltop's speedy runners might be the difference in Tuesday's game. The Hilltoppers have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.9 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Richland, though, as they've been averaging only 0.2 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Westmont Hilltop continue to outrun the ball?
Westmont Hilltop couldn't quite get it done against Richland when the teams last played back in April of 2024 as they fell 8-3. Can the Hilltoppers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
