The Fairfield Lions will challenge the Blanchester Wildcats at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Fairfield is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.8 runs per game this season.
Fairfield took a loss when they played away from home on Friday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Tuesday. Their pitcher stepped up to hand Belpre a 15-0 shutout. Considering the Lions have won eight games by more than seven runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.
Rilee Quickle
| 05/12/26 vs Belpre | 13 |
| 05/08/26 @ Manchester | 3 |
| 05/07/26 @ Peebles | 5 |
| 04/28/26 vs Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington | 8 |
| 04/23/26 vs Whiteoak | 8 |
| + 13 more games |
Rilee Quickle was a major factor no matter where she played. She didn't allow a single earned run while striking out 13 over five innings pitched. With that strong performance, she is now averaging an impressive 5.2 strikeouts per game. She was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with three runs and one stolen base.
In other batting news, Fairfield got a massive performance out of Jorgia Smith, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, seven RBI, and three runs. Those seven RBI gave Smith a new career-high. Alyssa Bales was another key player, going 3-for-4 with three runs, three RBI, and one triple.
Fairfield always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .647. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Belpre only posted an OBP of .150.
Meanwhile, after a string of three wins, Blanchester's good fortune finally ran out on Wednesday. They took a 9-5 hit to the loss column at the hands of St. Ursula Academy.
Tatum Strange and Bailie Bare did some serious damage despite the final result: Strange went 2-for-4 with three RBI and one double, while Bare went 3-for-4 with two runs and one stolen base.
Fairfield's win was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 17-8. The home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.0 run on average over those games. As for Blanchester, their defeat dropped their record down to 16-9.
Thursday's matchup might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Fairfield has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .448. However, it's not like Blanchester struggles in that department as they've averaged .498. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
