DuPont Manual is 2-7 against Ballard since March of 2015 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Friday. The Crimsons will head out on the road to take on the Bruins at 6:00 p.m. DuPont Manual is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.3 runs per game this season.
DuPont Manual is coming in off a wild two-game stretch: after soaring to 14 runs on Tuesday, they were much more limited against South Oldham on Thursday. They came up short against the Dragons, falling 10-2. Surprisingly, this marked the Crimsons' fourth straight game in which the away team has come away the victor.
Liv Kunkle
| 04/17/25 vs South Oldham | 6 |
| 04/14/25 vs Fairdale | 6 |
| 04/12/25 @ Ryle | 6 |
Liv Kunkle spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered five earned (and five unearned) runs on 11 hits and racked up six Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in three consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Payton Russell was cooking despite her team's loss, going 2-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI. Bailey Fetcher was another key player, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one RBI.
Ballard let Bryan Station stack five runs on them in the second inning on Thursday but luckily Ballard prevailed anyway. The Bruins had just enough and edged out the Defenders 9-8. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Bruins have posted since May 9, 2024.
Payton Downey was incredible, firing off two home runs and three RBI while going 2-for-4. Those two home runs gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Matilda Gorley, who went 1-for-2 with three RBI, two runs, and one stolen base.
Ballard lost a few balls and finished the game with two home runs. That's the most home runs they've managed all season.
Ballard pushed their record up to 11-9 with the victory, which was their fourth straight on the road. The road wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 12.8 runs over those games. As for DuPont Manual, their defeat dropped their record down to 11-4.
Friday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. DuPont Manual hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .348. However, it's not like Ballard struggles in that department as they've averaged .350. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
DuPont Manual came up short against Ballard in their previous matchup back in April of 2024, falling 8-3. Can the Crimsons avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
