The Arthur-Okaw Christian Conquering Riders will head out to square off against the Mattoon Greenwave at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Arthur-Okaw Christian is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7 runs per game this season.
Mattoon will take on a team with plenty of momentum: Arthur-Okaw Christian extended their winning streak to three on Tuesday. The Conquering Riders put the hurt on Tri-County [Kansas/Shiloh/Oakland] with a sharp 12-2 win. The match marked the Conquering Riders' most dominant victory of the season.
Elsie Beever
| 05/06/25 vs Tri-County [Kansas/Shiloh/Oakland] | 3 |
| 03/25/25 vs Sullivan | 2 |
| 05/04/24 @ Grace Christian Academy | 2 |
| 04/30/24 @ Tri-County [Kansas/Shiloh/Oakland] | 2 |
| 04/27/24 @ Heritage Christian | 2 |
Elsie Beever made a splash while hitting and pitching. She tossed five innings while giving up just two earned runs off five hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs, two RBI, and one double. Those three hits gave her a new career-high.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Avery Herschberger, who went 2-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and one stolen base. What's more, she posted two RBI, the most she's had since back in April of 2024. Brooke Herschberger also deserves some recognition as she hit her first triple of the season.
Arthur-Okaw Christian was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .483. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .324 or higher in three consecutive contests.
Meanwhile, it may have taken eight innings to finish the job, but Mattoon ultimately got the result they hoped for on Wednesday. They walked away with an 8-5 win over Richland County. The home team had taken home the W every time these teams have met since May 2, 2018, but that streak is no more.
Hanna Griffin spent all eight innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and two unearned) runs on 12 hits and racked up six Ks.
On the hitting side, Mj Cowger and Kenna Karnes did most of the damage at the plate: Cowger went 1-for-2 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI, while Karnes got on base in three of her five plate appearances with two RBI and one run. Another player making a difference was Kynlee McGraw, who went 2-for-4 with two runs, one double, and one RBI.
Arthur-Okaw Christian's record is now 5-3. As for Mattoon, their record now sits at 8-14.
Mattoon's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Arthur-Okaw Christian hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .347. It's a different story for Mattoon, though, as they've only averaged .257. Will they be able to contain Arthur-Okaw Christian's hitters? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
