Hilltop is a perfect 9-0 against Holgate since April of 2015 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Tuesday. The Cadets will look to defend their home field against the Tigers at 5:00 p.m. Hilltop is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 13.8 runs per game this season.
On Monday, Hilltop got the win against Tinora by a conclusive 17-6. The Cadets might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 11 matches by seven runs or more this season.
Giada Rising was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out ten batters over five innings while giving up four earned (and two unearned) runs off seven hits (and not a single walk). She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going a perfect 3-for-3 with four runs and one RBI.
Isabella Ackley
| 04/21/25 @ Tinora | 5 |
| 04/09/25 vs Stryker | 3 |
| 04/07/25 @ Liberty Center | 3 |
| 04/17/25 vs Gorham Fayette | 2 |
| 04/09/24 vs Edon | 2 |
In other batting news, Hilltop let Kelsy Connolly and Isabella Ackley run wild. Connolly got on base in four of her five plate appearances with three runs, three RBI, and one double, while Ackley went 2-for-3 with five RBI and one double. Those five RBI gave Ackley a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Brooklyn Kuszmaul, who got on base in three of her four plate appearances with three runs and one stolen base.
Hilltop was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .469. They are a perfect 11-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Meanwhile, Holgate was not able to break out of their rough patch on Monday as the team picked up their eighth straight loss dating back to last season. They took a 5-2 hit to the loss column at the hands of Continental.
Graysen Jones spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered five runs (all of which were unearned) on four hits and racked up seven Ks.
At the plate, Holgate saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Mia Kelly, who went 1-for-3 with one triple and one run.
Hilltop's win was their tenth straight on the road dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 12-2. The road victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.5 runs on average over those games. As for Holgate, their defeat dropped their record down to 0-6.
Holgate's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Hilltop hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .436. It's a different story for Holgate, though, as they've only averaged .154. Will they be able to contain Hilltop's hitters?
Everything went Hilltop's way against Holgate in their previous meeting back in April of 2024, as Hilltop made off with a 23-0 win. Will the Cadets repeat their success, or do the Tigers have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
