The Newton South Lions will head out to take on the Framingham Flyers at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Newton South is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 11.6 runs per game this season.
Newton South will bounce into Thursday's match after beating Concord-Carlisle, who they had gone 2-7 against in their nine prior meetings. The Lions came out on top against the Patriots on Tuesday by a score of 10-3 (the very same score they lost by in their prior game). Considering the Lions have won nine contests by more than six runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.
Sophie Nathanson made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching seven innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off eight hits. Nathanson was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with three RBI.
Lauren Kelley
| 05/20/25 vs Concord-Carlisle | 4 |
| 05/14/25 @ Wayland | 3 |
| 05/13/25 vs East Boston | 3 |
| 04/08/25 @ Boston Latin | 3 |
| 04/16/25 @ Cambridge Rindge & Latin | 2 |
In other batting news, Lauren Kelley was incredible, getting on base in all four of her plate appearances with four stolen bases and three runs. Those four stolen bases gave her a new career-high. Zoe Spector was another key player, getting on base in all four of her plate appearances with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base.
Meanwhile, Framingham had already won four in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 7.3 runs) and they went ahead and made it five on Tuesday. They narrowly escaped with a victory as the squad sidled past the Redhawks 7-5. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Flyers have posted since April 11th.
Shelby Kiklis spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and two unearned) runs on 11 hits. She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances.
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Chloe Nestor, who got on base in all four of her plate appearances with one home run. The team also got some help courtesy of Emily Hudson, who went 2-for-4 with two runs.
Newton South has been performing well recently as they've won five of their last six games. That's provided a nice bump to their 11-5 record this season. The victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 17.0 runs over those games. As for Framingham, they pushed their record up to 7-6 with the win, which was their fifth straight at home.
Thursday's match might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Newton South has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .509. However, it's not like Framingham struggles in that department as they've averaged .469. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Newton South couldn't quite get it done against Framingham in their previous meeting back in May of 2024 as they fell 14-11. Can the Lions avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
