The Gallia Academy Blue Devils will face off against the Ironton Fighting Tigers at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Gallia Academy is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8 runs per game this season.
While Gallia Academy didn't have the best season last year (they finished 3-14), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. Everything went their way against Chesapeake on Wednesday as they made off with a 12-1 win. Give some credit to the fans of both teams: the last four times they've met, the home team has come away the winner.
Chloe Bennett and Colbie Nida were a major factor no matter where they played. Throwing, Bennett didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out six over four innings pitched. Meanwhile, Nida tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances. At the plate, Bennett scored four runs and stole four bases while going 3-for-4, while Nida went 2-for-4 with three RBI. With that strong performance, Bennett is now averaging an impressive 2.1 runs per game.
In other batting news, Gallia Academy let Ava Angel and Braylee Fellure run wild. Angel went 1-for-3 with one home run, while Fellure scored two runs while going 1-for-2. The team also got some help courtesy of Maggie Davis, who scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-4.
Meanwhile, Ironton entered their contest against Dawson-Bryant on Wednesday without any home losses, but there's a first time for everything. The Fighting Tigers lost 11-4 to the Hornets. The Fighting Tigers have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Ava Bihl spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered five earned (and six unearned) runs on seven hits and racked up 11 Ks.
At the plate, Miley Bias made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 2-for-4 with three RBI, one triple, and one stolen base. That triple marked the first that she hit this season. Another player making a difference was Aubrey Ferguson, who scored a run and stole a base while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances.
Ironton's defeat dropped their record down to 9-3. As for Gallia Academy, their victory bumped their record up to 7-4.
Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Thursday. Gallia Academy hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 0.7 home runs per game. However, it's not like Ironton struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 0.8 home runs. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.
Gallia Academy might still be hurting after the 14-0 loss they got from Ironton in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Will the Blue Devils 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.
