The Rome Free Academy Black Knights will head out to challenge the New Hartford Spartans at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. The two teams are strolling into their games after big wins in their previous games.
New Hartford will take on a team with plenty of momentum: Rome Free Academy extended their winning streak to five on Monday. The Black Knights put the hurt on Oneida with a sharp 14-2 win. The result was nothing new for the Black Knights, who have now won three contests by 12 runs or more so far this season.
Madison Safin
| 04/28/25 vs Oneida | 1 |
| 04/21/25 @ Proctor | 0 |
| 04/17/25 vs Holland Patent | 1 |
| 04/13/25 @ Guilderland | 1 |
| 04/13/25 @ Shenendehowa | 2 |
Madison Safin made a splash no matter where she played. She struck out seven batters over five innings while giving up just two earned runs off five hits (and only one walk). She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI.
In other batting news, Saige Pelton was a standout: she went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base. That triple marked the first that she has hit this season. Another player making a difference was Kenidee Campbell, who got on base in two of her four plate appearances with four stolen bases and three runs.
New Hartford came out on top against Oneida on Wednesday thanks in part to the team's impressive ten-run fifth inning. The Spartans' pitcher stepped up to hand the Express a 13-0 shutout. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Spartans.
Like Rome Free Academy, New Hartford also got a great game from a two-way player: Olivia Battaglia. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only two hits while striking out eight over five innings pitched. With that strong performance, Battaglia is now averaging an impressive 5.5 strikeouts per game. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with one triple, two RBI, and one double.
In other batting news, Ruby Gehringer was incredible, going a perfect 4-for-4 with four RBI, one run, and one double. Addie Way was another key player, going 1-for-4 with three runs, one stolen base, and one double.
Rome Free Academy pushed their record up to 6-2 with the victory, which was their sixth straight at home dating back to last season. The home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.3 runs over those games. As for New Hartford, the victory got them back to even at 3-3.
Thursday's matchup might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Rome Free Academy has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .485. However, it's not like New Hartford struggles in that department as they've averaged .463. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Rome Free Academy came out on top in a nail-biter against New Hartford in their previous matchup back in April, sneaking past 5-4. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Black Knights since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
