Stryker is 0-10 against Hilltop since April of 2022 but things could change on Friday. The Panthers are taking a road trip to challenge the Cadets at 5:00 p.m. The two teams are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.
Stryker is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They blew past Gorham Fayette 8-1 on Tuesday.
Peityn Crosser
| 05/12/26 vs Gorham Fayette | 13 |
| 05/11/26 vs Edon | 6 |
| 05/09/26 vs North Baltimore | 5 |
| 05/04/26 vs Pettisville | 8 |
| 04/28/26 vs Holgate | 7 |
| + 8 more games |
Peityn Crosser made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out 13 batters over 6.2 innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. With that strong performance, she is now averaging an impressive 5.5 strikeouts per game. She was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three stolen bases and three runs. That's the most hits she has posted since back in April.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Jaiden Palmer, who went 2-for-3 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run. Another player making a difference was Amelia Elling, who went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI.
Meanwhile, Hilltop came tearing into Tuesday's game with three straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 16.3 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They put the hurt on the Bombers with a sharp 15-1 victory. Considering the Cadets have won 16 contests by more than six runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.
Isabella Ackley was incredible, going 2-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI. That home run marked the first that she has launched this season. Sophia Crossgrove was another key player, going 1-for-3 with one home run and three runs.
Hilltop hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. The team has now struck out at least three batters in four consecutive matchups.
Stryker's first win this season bumped their record up to 1-12. As for Hilltop, their record is now 19-3.
Stryker suffered a grim 19-0 defeat to Hilltop in their previous meeting back in April. Can the Panthers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
