The Jefferson Area Falcons will venture away from home to challenge the North Rangers at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Jefferson Area is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.1 runs per game this season.
Jefferson Area came out on top against Conneaut on Wednesday thanks in part to the team's impressive seven-run fifth inning. The Falcons blew past the Spartans 12-1. The Falcons haven't had any issues with the Spartans recently, as the game was their sixth consecutive win against them.
Rylee Demattia
| 04/30/25 vs Conneaut | 5 |
| 04/17/25 vs Perry | 3 |
| 04/12/25 vs Chalker | 3 |
| 04/16/25 vs West Geauga | 2 |
| 04/29/25 vs Sharon | 1 |
Jefferson Area let Rylee Demattia and Marillia Matuz run wild. Demattia went 2-for-4 with five RBI and one double, while Matuz got on base in three of her four plate appearances with two stolen bases and three runs. Those five RBI gave Demattia a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Alaina Barress, who went 2-for-4 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run.
Jefferson Area was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .476. They are 8-2 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Kenston hit North with a four-run third inning on Wednesday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Rangers fell just short of the Bombers by a score of 6-4. The Rangers have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Bailey Licht spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered five earned (and one unearned) runs on six hits and racked up eight Ks. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in four consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, Sarah Avery was cooking despite her team's loss, getting on base in all three of her plate appearances with one home run and two RBI. Brynne Smith (John Carroll) also deserves some recognition as she launched her first home run of the season.
The victory got Jefferson Area back to even at 10-10. As for North, their loss dropped their record down to 6-13.
North's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Jefferson Area hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .380. It's a different story for North, though, as they've only averaged .254. Will they be able to contain Jefferson Area's hitters?
Jefferson Area was able to grind out a solid win over North in their previous matchup back in April, winning 6-2. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Falcons since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
