Jonathan Alder is on a three-game streak of home wins, while Fairbanks is on an eight-game streak of away wins (dating back to last season): one of those streaks is about to end. The Pioneers will host the Panthers at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
On Friday, Jonathan Alder made easy work of Northwestern and carried off an 11-4 victory. The Pioneers haven't had any issues with the Warriors recently, as the game was their seventh consecutive win against them.
Taryn Miller spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and one unearned) runs on nine hits and racked up six Ks. She has been consistent: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in five consecutive appearances.
Riley Magginis
| 04/18/25 vs Northwestern | 3 |
| 04/16/25 @ Urbana | 1 |
| 04/14/25 vs Urbana | 2 |
| 04/12/25 vs Madison Plains | 1 |
| 04/12/25 vs Hilliard Bradley | 2 |
| + 7 more games |
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Riley Magginis, who went 3-for-5 with one home run and three RBI. That's the most hits she has posted over her last 12 games. The team also got some help courtesy of Owyn Johnson, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Jonathan Alder was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .419. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .300 or higher in seven consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, Fairbanks never let their opponents score on Wednesday. Everything went their way against Cedarville as they made off with an 18-0 victory. The Panthers' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Jenna Dee was incredible, firing off two home runs, four runs, and five RBI while going 4-for-5. She also snagged a stolen base, marking her first of the season. Maddi Sines was another key player, getting on base in three of her five plate appearances with three RBI, two runs, and one triple.
Jonathan Alder now has a winning record of 8-7. As for Fairbanks, their win bumped their record up to 11-1.
Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Saturday. Jonathan Alder hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 0.4 home runs per game. However, it's not like Fairbanks struggles in that department as they've been averaging 1.1 home runs. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.
Everything went Jonathan Alder's way against Fairbanks in their previous meeting back in May of 2016, as Jonathan Alder made off with a 12-1 victory. Will the Pioneers repeat their success, or do the Panthers have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
