Softball Recap: Hilltop Snaps Ten-Game Streak of Wins on the Road

Hilltop dropped their record down to 13-3 on Thursday, which also ended the team's ten-game streak of wins on the road dating back to last season. They fell 4-0 to the Montpelier Locomotives. The match marked the first time this year in which the Cadets were not able to get on the board.

Hilltop saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Halle Jones, who went 3-for-4 with one stolen base.

As for Montpelier, they have been performing incredibly well recently as they've won seven of their last eight games. That's provided a nice bump to their 9-5 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.0 runs on average over those games.

On Montpelier's side, the result came thanks to Madelyn Hopper's shutout, as she gave up just six hits and racked up 11 Ks. Hopper has been consistent for a while: she hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in 12 consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, Kelsie Bumb was excellent, going 1-for-3 with one triple, two RBI, and one run.

Coming up, Hilltop will challenge Bryan at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (the Cadets 3.1, the Golden Bears 1.7) so any runs scored will be well earned. As for Montpelier, they will square off against Liberty Center at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. The Locomotives' pitchers better be ready for this one: the Tigers have averaged an impressive 8.5 runs per game this season.