The Cleveland Heights Tigers are taking a road trip to take on the Lorain Titans at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Cleveland Heights has given up an average of 16.5 runs per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Cleveland Heights lost 18-4 to Brush on Wednesday. The Tigers haven't had much luck with the Arcs recently, as the team has come up short the last four times they've met.
Vivian Portner was cooking despite her team's loss, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-2. Ryan McMahon also deserves some recognition as she scored her first run of the season.
Meanwhile, Lorain waltzed into their matchup on Wednesday with two straight wins... but they left with three. Everything went their way against the Mustangs as they made off with a 17-2 win. That's two games straight that the Titans have won by exactly 15 runs.
Olivia Charlton made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out eight over four innings pitched. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going 1-for-2 with one home run, two runs, and one stolen base.
In other batting news, Lorain let Ja'Ly Cortes and Kyraa Swiger run wild. Cortes went 2-for-3 with one home run, two stolen bases, and three runs, while Swiger scored three runs and stole four bases while getting on base in all three of her plate appearances. Cortes has been hot recently, having posted two or more stolen bases the last three times she's played. Alayna Warren was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing four bases while going 1-for-2.
Lorain kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in six consecutive games.
Lorain pushed their record up to 7-4 with the victory, which was their third straight at home. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 17.3 runs over those games. As for Cleveland Heights, their defeat dropped their record down to 1-3.
Thursday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Cleveland Heights has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .500. However, it's not like Lorain struggles in that department as they've averaged .590. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Cleveland Heights suffered a grim 22-10 defeat to Lorain when the teams last played back in May of 2023. Can the Tigers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
