The Apex Friendship Patriots will be defending their home field for the first time this season when they go up against the Corinth Holders Pirates at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. The two teams are strolling into their matchups after big wins in their previous games.
Apex Friendship is coming home in high spirits after they had to open their season on the road against Seaforth. Apex Friendship was the clear victors by a 14-3 margin over Seaforth on Wednesday. The win continues a trend for the Patriots in their matchups with the Hawks: they've now won three in a row.
Sydney Joyce made a splash no matter where she played. She struck out nine batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off six hits. Joyce was also big at the plate, getting on base in all four of her plate appearances with three runs, one triple, and one RBI.
In other batting news, Apex Friendship let Kaylee Marquis and Cheyenne Christman run wild. Marquis scored three runs while going 3-for-3, while Christman went 2-for-4 with three runs, four RBI, and one double. What's more, Marquis posted three hits, the most she's had since back in April of 2024. Another player making a difference was Hannah Parker, who went 3-for-4 with three RBI and one double.
Meanwhile, Corinth Holders took care of business in their home opener (and then some) on Tuesday. They put the hurt on Western Harnett with a sharp 14-1 victory. Give some credit to the fans of both teams: the last four times they've met, the home team has come away the winner.
Like Apex Friendship, Corinth Holders also got a great game from a two-way player: Pyper Vardy. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over five innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits (and only one walk). That one earned run gave Vardy a new career-low. She was also solid in the batter's box, scoring three runs while going 3-for-3.
In other batting news, Liana Giron was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, five RBI, and two runs. Ava Marks was another key player, going 1-for-3 with one home run and four RBI.
