Rickards is 2-8 against Leon since April of 2021 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Tuesday. The Raiders will look to defend their home field against the Lions at 6:00 p.m. Rickards is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.1 runs per game this season.
On Monday, Rickards came up short against Aucilla Christian and fell 8-5.
Ambriell Nelson made the most of her time in the batter's box despite the final result and went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases and one run. Another player making a difference was Jaliya Conyers, who went 1-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.
Meanwhile, Leon started off well but failed to capitalize on an early lead against Marianna. They fell 12-9 to the Bulldogs on Monday.
Taylor Winfield was huge no matter where she played even without the win. She pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been consistent: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in six consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI, and one run.
Winfield wasn't the only one making solid contact as seven players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Kamryn Smith, who went 2-for-4 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. That home run was Smith's first of the season. Trinity Williams was another, going 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one double.
Rickards' defeat dropped their record down to 4-7. As for Leon, their loss dropped their record down to 0-10.
Leon's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Rickards has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .497. It's a different story for Leon, though, as they've only averaged .344. Will they be able to contain Rickards' hitters?
Rickards came out on top in a nail-biter against Leon when the teams last played back in February, sneaking past 12-11. Do the Raiders have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Lions turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
