Leadership Academy hasn't had much luck against Bethany Community recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. The Falcons are taking a road trip to square off against the Wolves at 4:30 p.m. Leadership Academy will be looking to extend their current three-game winning streak.
If Leadership Academy beats Bethany Community with 16 runs on Thursday, it's going to be the team's new lucky number: they've won their past two matchups with that exact score. The Falcons never let Carver get on the board and left with a 16-0 victory on Thursday. That 16 run margin sets a new team best for the Falcons this season.
Ashlyn Koerber made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out eight batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit (and only one walk). She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than one walk in seven consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in all three of her plate appearances with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run.
Caleigh Buwalda
| 04/17/25 vs Carver | 4 |
| 04/16/25 vs Atkins | 2 |
| 03/19/25 @ South Davidson | 1 |
| 04/30/24 @ Cornerstone Charter | 1 |
| 04/16/24 @ Carver | 1 |
In other batting news, Leadership Academy let Caleigh Buwalda and Emory Maxwell run wild. Buwalda went a perfect 1-for-1 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs, while Maxwell got on base in all three of her plate appearances with two stolen bases, three runs, and one triple. Those four RBI gave Buwalda a new career-high. Alyssa Hopkins was another key player, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI.
Leadership Academy was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .769. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .310 or higher in 13 consecutive contests dating back to last season.
Meanwhile, it may have taken eight innings to finish the job, but Bethany Community ultimately got the result they hoped for on Wednesday. They came out on top against Clover Garden School by a score of 8-5. The Wolves haven't had any issues with the Grizzlies recently, as the game was their third consecutive win against them.
Audrey Waddell made a splash no matter where she played. She struck out 11 batters over six innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off six hits (and only one walk). Waddell was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two runs and one stolen base.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Mattie Southard, who went 4-for-5 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run. Another player making a difference was Gracie Marshall, who went 2-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
Leadership Academy pushed their record up to 7-5 with the victory, which was their third straight at home. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.0 runs on average over those games. As for Bethany Community, their record is now 8-6.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Thursday as neither team is afraid to steal. Leadership Academy has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 7.7 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Bethany Community struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3.2 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Leadership Academy suffered a grim 10-4 defeat to Bethany Community in their previous matchup back in March. Can the Falcons avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
