The Westville Blackhawks are taking a road trip to challenge the Whiting Oilers at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Westville is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.5 runs per game this season.
Having struggled with three defeats in a row, Westville turned things around against Wheeler on Thursday. They were the clear victors by a 9-2 margin over the Bearcats. The result was nothing new for the Blackhawks, who have now won seven matches by seven runs or more so far this season.
Kierstin Vargas made a big impact no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out 11 batters over seven innings while giving up just two earned runs off six hits (and not a single walk). She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 15 consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three RBI, one run, and one double.
Miranda Sparks
| 05/22/25 @ Wheeler | 4 |
| 05/19/25 @ Hobart | 1 |
| 05/16/25 @ Boone Grove | 3 |
| 05/14/25 @ Hebron | 3 |
| 05/13/25 @ Washington Township | 2 |
| + 5 more games |
In other batting news, Miranda Sparks and Maddison Cole did most of the damage at the plate: Sparks went 4-for-5 with three runs and two doubles, while Cole went 1-for-3 with one home run and two RBI. That's the most hits Sparks has posted over her last ten games. Kiersten Vaughan was another key player, going 3-for-5 with two runs, one double, and one RBI.
Westville kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 14 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least 13 hits in three consecutive contests.
Meanwhile, Whiting had to endure a five-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. They had just enough and edged out Victory Christian Academy 12-11.
Like Westville, Whiting also got a great game from a two-way player: Lilianna Bell. She tossed seven innings while giving up five earned (and six unearned) runs off six hits. Bell was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with two runs.
In other batting news, Arianna Vianello was excellent, going 3-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double. Another player making a difference was Lily Morando, who went 1-for-3 with two runs, one double, and one RBI.
Westville's record now sits at 14-5. As for Whiting, their record is now 7-9.
Whiting's hitters will have their work cut out for them on Friday. Westville has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 9.3 strikeouts per game. It's a different story for Whiting, though, as they've been averaging only 3.5 strikeouts. Will Westville keep running through batters, or will the Oilers buck the trend?
Everything went Westville's way against Whiting when the teams last played back in May of 2024, as Westville made off with a 13-3 victory. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Blackhawks since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
