The Fairfield Lions will challenge the Hillsboro Indians at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The last three games Fairfield has played have been within two runs, so don't be surprised if it's a close one.
While Fairfield's victory against Peebles wasn't quite the blowout it was the last time the pair played, they still came out on top. The Lions skirted past the Indians 8-6. The win continues a trend for the Lions in their matchups with the Indians: they've now won eight in a row.
Rilee Quickle spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned (and four unearned) runs on five hits and racked up eight Ks.
At the plate, Fairfield let Carly Sanders and Kelsie Crowder run wild. Sanders scored three runs and stole a base while going 2-for-4, while Crowder scored two runs while going 3-for-3. Whitlee Morrow was another key player, scoring a run while going 2-for-3.
Meanwhile, Hillsboro never let their opponents score on Wednesday. They blew past Washington 14-0. Considering the Indians have won four matches by more than eight runs this season, Wednesday's blowout was nothing new.
Camryn Spruell made a big impact no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only one hit while striking out nine over five innings pitched. She has been consistent : she hasn't given up more than two walks any time she's pitched this season. She was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring three runs and stealing two bases while going 4-for-4. What's more, she posted three RBI, the most she's had since back in April of 2024.
In other batting news, Choe Roberts and Reagan Clemons did most of the damage at the plate: Roberts went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI, while Clemons fired off two home runs and three RBI while going 2-for-3. Those three RBI gave Clemons a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Addley Miller, who went 2-for-3 with three RBI.
Hillsboro lost a few balls and finished the game with three home runs. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Washington didn't launched any home runs.
The victory made it two in a row for Hillsboro and bumps their season record up to 5-1. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered a grand total of 0 runs in those games. As for Fairfield, their victory bumped their record up to 4-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Fairfield has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Hillsboro struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 13.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Fairfield might still be hurting after the 10-2 loss they got from Hillsboro when the teams last played back in March of 2024. Will the Lions have more luck at home instead of on the road? Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other softball content.
