Hillcrest is on a three-game streak of home losses, and Idaho Falls a three-game streak of away losses. However, someone's due for a change in luck on Thursday. The Hillcrest Knights will look to defend their home field against the Idaho Falls Tigers at 3:30 p.m. Hillcrest has given up an average of 10.1 runs per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Hillcrest is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They skirted past Thunder Ridge 17-15. With that victory, the Knights brought their scoring average up to 6.5 runs per game.
Andrew Johnson
| 03/21/25 vs Bishop Kelly | 6 |
| 04/07/25 vs Thunder Ridge | 2 |
Andrew Johnson looked comfortable as he pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Hillcrest is 3-1 when Johnson allows one or fewer earned runs, but 3-8 otherwise.
On the hitting side, Cole Croft was incredible, going 3-for-4 with four runs, five RBI, and one double. He is becoming a predictor of Hillcrest's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 2-1 (and 4-8 when he doesn't). Draidyn Allen was another key player, going 2-for-4 with two triples, three RBI, and one run.
Hillcrest was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .444. The last time their batting average was this high was back in April of 2024.
Meanwhile, Idaho Falls came up short against Blackfoot on Tuesday, falling 13-3.
Idaho Falls saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Anthony Morales, who scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-2. Hudson Palmer also deserves some recognition as he got his first hit of the season.
Hillcrest's win bumped their record up to 6-9. As for Idaho Falls, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-14.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Thursday as neither team is afraid to steal. Hillcrest has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.5 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Idaho Falls struggles in that department as they've been averaging 2.7 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Hillcrest skirted past Idaho Falls 5-4 in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Do the Knights have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Tigers turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
