Grove City is 1-9 against Hickory since May of 2019 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Tuesday. The Eagles will look to defend their home field against the Hornets at 4:00 p.m. The two teams are strolling into their contests after big wins in their previous games.
Hickory will be up against a hot Grove City squad: the team just extended their winning streak to four. The Eagles put the hurt on Oil City with a sharp 14-1 win on Saturday. The home team had taken home the W every time these teams have met since May 16, 2023, but that streak is no more.
Taylor Thompson made a splash no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out nine batters over five innings while giving up just one earned run off five hits (and only one walk). She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts in four consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs.
Lily Rihel
| 05/10/25 @ Oil City | 3 |
| 04/17/25 @ Slippery Rock | 2 |
| 05/08/25 vs Slippery Rock | 1 |
| 04/22/25 @ Hickory | 1 |
| 04/15/25 vs Jamestown | 1 |
In other batting news, Lily Rihel was a standout: she went a perfect 4-for-4 with two stolen bases, three runs, and three RBI. Those three RBI gave her a new career-high. Kara Kirk was another key player, going 3-for-4 with four RBI, two runs, and two doubles.
Grove City kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 16 hits. They are a perfect 5-0 when they post 11 or more hits.
Meanwhile, Hickory got the win against Franklin on Monday by a conclusive 11-1. The victory continues a trend for the Hornets in their matchups with the Knights: they've now won four in a row.
Like Grove City, Hickory also got a great game from a two-way player: AJ Jarzab. She didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out 12 over five innings pitched. Jarzab was also stellar in the batter's box, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, four RBI, and one double.
In other batting news, Emma Johnston and Layla McClung did most of the damage at the plate: Johnston got on base in two of her four plate appearances with two stolen bases and three runs, while McClung went 2-for-4 with three RBI, one run, and one double.
Grove City pushed their record up to 9-5 with the win, which was their third straight on the road. Those road victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.7 runs on average over those games. As for Hickory, their win bumped their record up to 8-9.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Grove City has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Hickory struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 9.9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Grove City couldn't quite get it done against Hickory when the teams last played back in April as they fell 8-5. Will the Eagles have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
