The Mesa Jackrabbits will take on the Highland Hawks at 3:45 p.m. on Friday. The timing isn't great for Mesa: they have been struggling with five straight losses at home dating back to last season, while Highland has snatched up five consecutive wins on the road also dating back to last season.
Mesa is coming in off a wild two-game stretch: after soaring to 31 runs two weeks ago, they were much more limited against Casteel on Thursday. They came up short against the Colts, falling 13-2.
Leah Alcala
| 03/20/25 @ Casteel | 3 |
| 03/06/25 @ Valley Vista | 3 |
| 03/03/25 vs Maryvale | 2 |
Leah Alcala was cooking despite her team's loss, scoring a run and stealing Three bases. while getting on base in all three of her plate appearances. She has been hot recently, having posted two or more stolen bases the last three times she's played. Angela Bujanda also deserves some recognition as she scored her first run of the season.
Meanwhile, Highland got the win against Chandler on Wednesday by a conclusive 13-5. Considering the Hawks have won seven matches by more than five runs this season, Wednesday's blowout was nothing new.
Kennedie Nelson spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and two unearned) runs on six hits.
On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Abbie Shellabarger, who scored three runs and stole a base while going 4-for-5. Those four hits gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of MiaLani Ocampo, who scored two runs while going 2-for-4.
Highland was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .417. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .318 or higher in seven consecutive contests.
Mesa's defeat dropped their record down to 1-3. As for Highland, their win bumped their record up to 8-6.
Friday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Mesa hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .366. However, it's not like Highland struggles in that department as they've averaged .368. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Mesa suffered a grim 21-5 defeat to Highland when the teams last played back in April of 2015. Can Mesa avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
