Softball Recap: Independence Comes Up Short

Despite a phenomenal run in the regular season, Independence couldn't carry that success into this playoff game. They fell just short of the Columbia Raiders by a score of 4-3 on Friday. Unfortunately, that's the second time they've come up short against the Raiders this season, as they also lost their prior matchup 4-3 on Friday.

Lila Manfredonia

Batters Struck Out

05/23/25 vs Columbia	21
05/19/25 vs Wellington	18
05/15/25 vs Brecksville-Broadview Heights	11
05/14/25 vs Harding	7
05/07/25 @ Brooklyn	15
+ 8 more games

Lila Manfredonia put in work while hitting and pitching. She struck out 21 batters over eight innings while giving up just one earned (and three unearned) runs off two hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in 13 consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with two RBI and one double.

In other batting news, Paige Priebe made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 2-for-4 with two runs and one triple.

Independence's defeat dropped their record down to 19-5. As for Columbia, the win was the fifth in a row for them, bringing their record up to 17-7.

The teams didn't have to wait long for a rematch: the Raiders beat Independence by a score of 4-3 later that day.