The Goreville Blackcats will head out on the road to face off against the Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Each of these teams will be fighting to keep a win streak alive as Goreville comes in on three and Anna-Jonesboro on eight.
While Goreville's victory against Woodlawn wasn't quite the blowout it was the last time the pair played, they still came out on top. The Blackcats won by a run and slipped past the Cardinals 9-8.
Lydia Kwiatkowski
| 05/15/25 @ Woodlawn | 3 |
| 05/14/25 @ Herrin | 1 |
| 05/10/25 @ Benton | 2 |
| 05/09/25 @ Massac County | 2 |
| 05/01/25 @ Crab Orchard | 0 |
| 04/30/25 vs Hamilton County | 4 |
Lydia Kwiatkowski was a major factor no matter where she played. She pitched five innings while giving up just one earned run off five hits. What's more, she posted three strikeouts, the most she's had over her last six games. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with two RBI and one run.
In other batting news, Goreville let Elisabeth Trainor and Addyson (Addy) Underwood run wild. Trainor went 3-for-5 with three RBI, two doubles, and one run, while Underwood went 2-for-3 with one triple, one stolen base, and two RBI. That's the most RBI Trainor has posted since back in March. Allison Chamness was another key player, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with one run and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Anna-Jonesboro got themselves on the board against Trico on Wednesday, but Trico never followed suit. They blew past the Pioneers 15-0. Considering the Wildcats have won 24 contests by more than five runs this season, Wednesday's blowout was nothing new.
Like Goreville, Anna-Jonesboro also got a great game from a two-way player: Ruby Yates. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out seven batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit (and only one walk). Yates has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 21 consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, four RBI, and one double.
In other batting news, Kansas Craig and Jayci Needling did most of the damage at the plate: Craig got on base in all four of her plate appearances with one home run and three runs, while Needling went 1-for-3 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs. Craig is on a roll when it comes to home runs, as she's now launched at least one in each of the last three games she's played. Another player making a difference was Molly Roach, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, one double, and one RBI.
Anna-Jonesboro was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .571. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .333 or higher in 13 consecutive matchups.
Anna-Jonesboro's win was their seventh straight at home, which pushed their record up to 26-3. Those home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 0.3 runs on average over those games. As for Goreville, their record is now 12-16.
Friday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Goreville hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .322. However, it's not like Anna-Jonesboro struggles in that department as they've averaged .471. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Goreville couldn't quite get it done against Anna-Jonesboro in their previous meeting back in March of 2024 as they fell 6-3. Can the Blackcats avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
