The Liberty Bison will challenge the JW North Huskies at 3:15 p.m. on Thursday. Both teams are coming into the game red-hot, with Liberty sitting on four straight wins and JW North on three.
Liberty is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They blew past Apple Valley 16-5 on Tuesday. Considering the Bison have won three matches by more than eight runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.
Janessa Guigliano tossed a big game, striking out eight batters over 4.2 innings while giving up just two earned (and three unearned) runs off four hits. Those hits marked the first that she allowed this season.
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Cameryn Rutkoff, who went 2-for-3 with one home run, five RBI, and two runs. That's the most hits she has posted since back in March of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Attiana Thompson, who scored two runs while going 2-for-3.
Liberty was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .483. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Apple Valley only posted a batting average of .250.
Meanwhile, JW North beat Patriot 7-4 on Tuesday. That's two games straight that the Huskies have won by exactly three runs.
Anela Kinnevey spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and three unearned) runs on four hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, JW North let Audrina Camacho and Lily Hiraoka run wild. Camacho went 3-for-4 with five RBI, one run, and one double, while Hiraoka scored three runs and stole Two bases. while going 3-for-4. Camacho has been hot recently, having posted three or more RBI the last three times she's played. Xochitl Frias was another key player, scoring two runs while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances.
JW North's victory bumped their record up to 6-4. As for Liberty, their win bumped their record up to 4-5.
Thursday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Liberty hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .359. However, it's not like JW North struggles in that department as they've averaged .423. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Liberty was able to grind out a solid victory over JW North in their previous matchup back in March of 2024, winning 9-6. Does Liberty have another victory up their sleeve, or will JW North turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
