The Cascade Cadets will face off against the Danville Warriors at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Cascade is coming into the matchup hot, having won their last six games.
If Cascade beats Danville with six runs on Friday, it's going to be the squad's new lucky number: they've won their past two contests with that exact score. The Cadets blew past Indian Creek 6-0 on Tuesday. The Cadets might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won six games by six runs or more this season.
Grace Gray made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She didn't allow a single earned run while striking out ten over seven innings pitched. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in nine consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Grace Parks, who went 2-for-3 with one home run and three RBI. That's the most RBI she has posted over her last 11 matchups. Another player making a difference was Ava Allen, who went 2-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Danville posted their closest win since April 12, 2024 on Tuesday. They skirted past Southmont 4-3. The Warriors haven't had any issues with the Mounties recently, as the game was their seventh consecutive victory against them.
Autumn Muncy spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three runs (all of which were unearned) on five hits.
On the hitting side, Cassie Thompson was excellent, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with two runs and one triple. Addison Davis was another key player, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run.
Danville hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. They are a perfect 8-0 when they post two or more strikeouts.
Danville pushed their record up to 11-5 with the win, which was their seventh straight at home. Those home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.9 runs on average over those games. As for Cascade, their record is now 12-5.
Cascade's speedy runners might be the difference in Friday's contest. The Cadets have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.5 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Danville, though, as they've been averaging only 1.1 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Cascade continue to outrun the ball?
Everything went Cascade's way against Danville when the teams last played back in May of 2023, as Cascade made off with a 14-1 win. Do the Cadets have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Warriors turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
