Nooksack Valley and Ferndale are an even 3-3 against one another since April of 2015, but likely not for long. The Pioneers will face off against the Golden Eagles at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Nooksack Valley is coming into the game hot, having won their last six games.
Nooksack Valley is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They blew past Squalicum 22-3 on Tuesday. Surprisingly, this marked the Pioneers' fourth straight game in which the away team has come away the victor.
Payton Bartl made a splash no matter where she played. On the mound, she tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Bartl was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in two of her four plate appearances with two RBI and one run. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in March.
In other pitching news, Alayna Vanieperen looked comfortable as she tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in four consecutive appearances.
Shelby Mason
| 04/22/25 @ Squalicum | 5 |
| 03/26/25 vs Bellingham | 4 |
| 05/02/24 @ Squalicum | 3 |
| 04/18/24 @ Sehome | 3 |
| 04/18/25 vs Cle Elum-Roslyn | 2 |
Back at the plate, the team relied heavily on Shelby Mason, who went 3-for-4 with five runs, two stolen bases, and two RBI. Those five runs gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Gracie Rutgers, who went a perfect 1-for-1 with three RBI and two runs.
Nooksack Valley always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .750. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Ferndale lost 14-4 to Burlington-Edison on Tuesday. The Golden Eagles have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Kaelin Blakley made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went a perfect 2-for-2 with two doubles and one RBI.
Ferndale's defeat dropped their record down to 6-8. As for Nooksack Valley, their record now sits at 10-3.
Ferndale's hitters will have their work cut out for them on Thursday. Nooksack Valley has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.2 strikeouts per game. It's a different story for Ferndale, though, as they've been averaging only 3.4 strikeouts. Will Nooksack Valley keep running through batters, or will the Golden Eagles buck the trend?
Nooksack Valley came up short against Ferndale when the teams last played back in April of 2024, falling 10-7. Can the Pioneers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
