The Clover Hill Cavaliers are headed away from home for the first time to challenge the Powhatan Indians at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Clover Hill will aim to continue their three-game streak of scoring more runs each game than the last.
While Clover Hill didn't have the best season last year (they finished 9-13-1), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They blew past L.C. Bird 17-5 on Wednesday. Considering the Cavaliers have won four matchups by more than nine runs this season, Wednesday's blowout was nothing new.
Olivia Kelly was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with five RBI, three runs, and one triple. That triple marked the first that she hit this season. Madison Hayes was another key player, going 3-for-4 with four RBI, one stolen base, and one run.
Kelly wasn't the only one making solid contact: Clover Hill kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least 12 hits in three consecutive contests.
Powhatan never got on the board in their matchup on Thursday, but that sure wasn't the case in their game against James River Midlothian last Tuesday. Their pitcher stepped up to hand the Rapids a 13-0 shutout. The Indians haven't had any issues with the Rapids recently, as the game was their ninth consecutive victory against them.
Ava Harper was a standout: she went a perfect 3-for-3 with five RBI, one triple, and one run. That's the most hits she has posted since back in April of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Mazie Harmon, who scored two runs while going 2-for-3.
Clover Hill pushed their record up to 5-1 with the win, which was their third straight at home. Those home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.3 runs on average over those games. As for Powhatan, they now have a winning record of 4-3.
Thursday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Clover Hill hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .420. However, it's not like Powhatan struggles in that department as they've averaged .370. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Clover Hill couldn't quite get it done against Powhatan in their previous matchup back in May of 2024 as they fell 8-4. Can the Cavaliers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
