Champion has gone a perfect 6-0 against Lakeview recently and they'll look to pad the win column further on Thursday. The Golden Flashes are taking a road trip to take on the Bulldogs at 5:00 p.m. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty run totals in their previous games.
If Champion beats Lakeview with 11 runs on Thursday, it's going to be the squad's new lucky number: they've won their past two games with that exact score. The Golden Flashes blew past Crestview 11-1 on Tuesday. The Golden Flashes might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won nine contests by nine runs or more this season.
Gabrielle Gradishar was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out 12 over five innings pitched. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in ten consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, getting on base in all four of her plate appearances with one home run, four RBI, and two runs. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in May of 2024.
Ava Sylvester
| 04/22/25 vs Crestview | 2 |
| 04/21/25 @ Crestview | 1 |
| 04/19/25 vs Boardman | 1 |
| 04/17/25 vs Southeast | 1 |
| 04/14/25 @ Garfield | 1 |
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Ava Sylvester, who went 2-for-3 with one home run and two RBI. Those two hits gave her a new career-high. Maddison Sylvester also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.
Champion always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .552. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Crestview only posted an OBP of .158.
Meanwhile, Lakeview entered their tilt with Trinity Christian on Tuesday with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. They were the clear victors by a 12-1 margin over the Warriors.
Lakeview let Kalyssa Werner and Mackenzie Stowe run wild. Werner went a perfect 4-for-4 with four runs, one stolen base, and one RBI, while Stowe went a perfect 2-for-2 with three RBI, two runs, and one triple. Kennedy Bartlett was another key player, going 3-for-4 with three runs and one RBI.
The win made it two in a row for Champion and bumps their season record up to 11-1. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.0 runs over those games. As for Lakeview, their record is now 9-3.
Thursday's matchup might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Champion has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .450. However, it's not like Lakeview struggles in that department as they've averaged .444. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Champion beat Lakeview 4-0 in their previous matchup back in May of 2024. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Golden Flashes since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
