The Hilltop Cadets will take on the Continental Pirates at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Hilltop is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8 runs per game this season.
Hilltop took a loss when they played away from home on Monday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Tuesday. They put the hurt on Stryker with a sharp 19-1 victory. The Cadets' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Alejandro Rubalcava and Ezra Mahlman were major factors while hitting and pitching. Throwing, Rubalcava tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Mahlman tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two hits in three consecutive appearances. At the plate, Rubalcava got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two runs and one stolen base, while Mahlman went 2-for-4 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base. That triple marked the first that Mahlman has hit this season.
Terry Rebeck
| 04/14/26 vs Stryker | 4 |
| 04/09/26 @ Pettisville | 3 |
| 04/16/25 @ Stryker | 3 |
| 04/07/25 vs Emmanuel Christian | 3 |
| 05/12/25 @ Cardinal Stritch | 2 |
In other batting news, Terry Rebeck was incredible, going 3-for-5 with four RBI and two runs. Those four RBI gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Toby Hartman, who went 1-for-2 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Hilltop hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. The team has now struck out at least four batters in four consecutive games.
Meanwhile, Continental was not able to break out of their rough patch on Thursday as the team picked up their fourth straight loss. They lost 16-7 to McComb.
Quinn Tegenkamp made the most of his time in the batter's box despite the final result and went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, one double, and one RBI.
Hilltop is on a roll lately: they've won three of their last four contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 5-2 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.8 runs on average over those games. As for Continental, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-8.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Friday as neither team is afraid to steal. Hilltop has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.1 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Continental struggles in that department as they've been averaging 2.9 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
