The Mt. Vernon Mountaineers will head out on the road to challenge the Adrian Blackhawks at 10:30 a.m. on Friday. Mt. Vernon is coming into the match hot, having won their last four games.
Mt. Vernon had to skate by with only a two-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 15-run drubbing they dealt Sarcoxie on Monday. The Mountaineers' pitcher stepped up to hand the Bears a 15-0 shutout. The Mountaineers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 13 games by seven runs or more this season.
Cheyenne Bieber was a standout: she fired off two home runs, five RBI, and three runs while going 2-for-2. That's the most runs she has posted over her last 11 contests. Rae Downing was another key player, going 2-for-3 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs.
Meanwhile, Adrian entered their tilt with Lamar on Tuesday with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. They came out on top against the Tigers by a score of 9-4.
Lizzie Clifton was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run over four innings pitched. Clifton was even better at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBI, two runs, and one stolen base. She has been hot recently, having posted three or more hits the last three times she's played.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Harlee Newkirk, who went 3-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. She is on a roll when it comes to hits, as she's now got three or more in each of the last three games she's played.
Adrian was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .379. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .379 or higher in three consecutive matchups.
Mt. Vernon's victory was their third straight at home, which pushed their record up to 18-5. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.0 runs on average over those games. As for Adrian, their record is now 7-9.
Friday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Mt. Vernon hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .381. However, it's not like Adrian struggles in that department as they've averaged .399. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Everything went Mt. Vernon's way against Adrian in their previous matchup back in March of 2024, as Mt. Vernon made off with a 10-3 victory. Will the Mountaineers repeat their success, or do the Blackhawks have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
