The Northridge Raiders will face off against the Mishawaka Cavemen at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Northridge knows how to get runs on the board -- the team has finished with ten runs or more in their past three matchups -- so hopefully Mishawaka likes a good challenge.
Northridge gave up the first runs on Wednesday, but they didn't let that get them down. Everything went their way against Warsaw as they made off with a 10-4 victory. The result was nothing new for the Raiders, who have now won six games by six runs or more so far this season.
Addi Knisley made a big impact no matter where she played. She pitched 2.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off three hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than one walk in six consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBI.
In other batting news, Northridge let Rielyn Goodwin and Willow Staley run wild. Goodwin went 2-for-4 with three runs and three RBI, while Staley went 2-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and one double. Goodwin continues to improve, besting her previous run total in each of the last three games she's played. Another player making a difference was Mia Branam, who went 1-for-3 with one stolen base, one double, and one RBI.
Northridge kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. They are a perfect 5-0 when they post 11 or more hits.
Meanwhile, after a string of five wins, Mishawaka's good fortune finally ran out on Wednesday. They took a 5-2 hit to the loss column at the hands of NorthWood. Having soared to a lofty ten runs in the game before, the Cavemen couldn't push the score so high this time.
Mishawaka saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Lilly St. Clair, who went 3-for-4 with one run and one double. That double marked the first that St. Clair has hit this season.
Northridge has been performing well recently as they've won five of their last six contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 7-4 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.7 runs over those games. As for Mishawaka, their loss was their first in the conference, dropping their conference record down to 4-1 and their overall record down to 8-4.
Northridge's speedy runners might be the difference in Thursday's matchup. The Raiders have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.4 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Mishawaka, though, as they've been averaging only 1.2 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Northridge continue to outrun the ball?
Northridge came up short against Mishawaka when the teams last played back in May of 2024, falling 3-0. Will the Raiders have more luck at home instead of on the road? Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other softball content.
