Marion is 0-5 against Alexandria-Monroe since April of 2015 but things could change on Friday. The Giants will head out to take on the Tigers at 5:00 p.m. Marion is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.3 runs per game this season.
Marion is headed into Friday's matchup looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their fifth straight game on Monday. They were a single run away from ending the streak, but they lost an 8-7 heartbreaker at the hands of Caston.
Aly Earnest
| 05/12/25 vs Caston | 17 |
| 05/10/25 vs Eastern | 2 |
| 05/10/25 vs Jay County | 1 |
| 05/09/25 vs Huntington North | 7 |
| 05/02/25 vs Southwood | 5 |
| + 13 more games |
Aly Earnest was huge no matter where she played even without the win. She struck out 17 batters over seven innings while giving up three earned (and five unearned) runs off seven hits. With that strong performance, she is now averaging an impressive 5.5 strikeouts per game. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with two runs and two doubles.
In other batting news, Jasmine Weaver was cooking despite her team's loss, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Alexandria-Monroe entered their tilt with Eastbrook on Thursday with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. They put the hurt on the Panthers with a sharp 10-3 win. The Tigers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won nine games by seven runs or more this season.
Like Marion, Alexandria-Monroe also got a great game from a two-way player: Brynlee Humphries. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching 6.2 innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off six hits. Humphries has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with one RBI.
In other batting news, Alexandria-Monroe let Ally Duckworth and Riley Thomas run wild. Duckworth went 2-for-3 with four RBI, two doubles, and one run, while Thomas went 2-for-4 with one home run and two runs. That's the most RBI Duckworth has posted since back in May of 2024. Another player making a difference was Kinley Webb, who went 1-for-3 with one home run.
Alexandria-Monroe always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .545. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Eastbrook only posted an OBP of .222.
Alexandria-Monroe's victory was their 11th straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 14-1. The home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 13.1 runs over those games. As for Marion, their loss dropped their record down to 5-14.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Marion has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Alexandria-Monroe struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.3 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Marion might still be hurting after the 10-0 defeat they got from Alexandria-Monroe when the teams last played back in May of 2021. Can the Giants avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
