The Austintown-Fitch Falcons will challenge the Jackson Polar Bears at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday. One thing working in Austintown-Fitch's favor is that they have posted at least ten runs in their last four matches.
Austintown-Fitch is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. Their pitcher stepped up to hand Strongsville a 10-0 shutout. The Falcons might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 16 contests by eight runs or more this season.
Kaliana Ray
| 05/23/25 vs Strongsville | 3 |
| 05/19/25 vs Stow-Munroe Falls | 2 |
| 05/14/25 @ Lakeview | 2 |
| 05/12/25 vs Aurora | 1 |
| 05/08/25 @ Canfield | 1 |
| + 6 more games |
Kaliana Ray was incredible, going a perfect 4-for-4 with three stolen bases, three runs, and three doubles. What's more, she posted three RBI, the most she's had since back in April. Another player making a difference was Alyssa Rodgers, who went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases and one run.
Austintown-Fitch was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .407. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .333 or higher in five consecutive games.
Meanwhile, Jackson won against Whitmer on Monday with six runs and they decided to stick to that run total again on Friday. The Polar Bears sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 6-5 victory over Findlay. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Polar Bears.
Courtney Helle spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and four unearned) runs on nine hits. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 15 consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Gabbi Williamson, who got on base in all four of her plate appearances with two runs, one double, and one RBI. Madi Moden was another key player, going 1-for-3 with two RBI.
Jackson's win was their fifth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 19-7-1. The home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 8.8 runs over those games. As for Austintown-Fitch, their win bumped their record up to 20-4.
Austintown-Fitch's speedy runners might be the difference in Wednesday's matchup. The Falcons have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Jackson, though, as they've been averaging only 1.2 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Austintown-Fitch continue to outrun the ball?
Austintown-Fitch suffered a grim 12-0 defeat to Jackson when the teams last played back in April of 2016. Can the Falcons avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
