The Rockridge Rockets will challenge the Ridgewood [AlWood/Cambridge] Spartans at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Rockridge 3.5, Ridgewood [AlWood/Cambridge] 3.2) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Rockridge is probably headed into the contest with a chip on their shoulder considering Riverdale just ended the team's 14-game winning streak on Thursday. They wound up with the same score they had in their last game (14-4), but sadly the team found themselves on the wrong side of the score this time. The pitching woes were uncharacteristic for they, who until this match were averaging 3.54 runs allowed.
Charley Perkins made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run. Emilee Black was another key player, going 2-for-3 with one double.
Meanwhile, Ridgewood [AlWood/Cambridge] was not able to break out of their rough patch on Thursday as the team picked up their third straight loss. They were a single run away from ending the streak, but they lost a 5-4 heartbreaker at the hands of Biggsville West Central. That's two games in a row now that the Spartans have lost by just one run.
Gabby Dean was huge while hitting and pitching even without the win. She struck out six batters over seven innings while giving up three earned (and two unearned) runs off nine hits. Dean was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with two doubles, one stolen base, and one run.
Dean wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Ella Humphrey, who went 2-for-3 with one run.
The defeat was their first on the road , dropping their record down to 22-4. As for Ridgewood [AlWood/Cambridge], their record is now 21-10.
Friday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Rockridge hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .387. However, it's not like Ridgewood [AlWood/Cambridge] struggles in that department as they've averaged .342. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Rockridge couldn't quite finish off Ridgewood [AlWood/Cambridge] in their previous matchup back in March of 2024 and fell 6-4. Can the Rockets avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
