Shady Side Academy is 0-4 against South Allegheny since March of 2015 but things could change on Friday. The Bulldogs will take on the Gladiators at 4:00 p.m. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.
Shady Side Academy took a loss when they played away from home on Monday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Wednesday. They walked away with a 15-11 win over Brentwood. The Bulldogs' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Becca Schriver
| 04/09/25 vs Brentwood | 5 |
| 04/07/25 @ Apollo Ridge | 5 |
| 04/04/25 vs Northgate | 11 |
| 04/02/25 vs Sewickley Academy | 9 |
Becca Schriver was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she tossed three innings while giving up just one earned (and six unearned) runs off three hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts any time she's pitched this season. She was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs while going 3-for-5. That's the most hits she has posted since back in April of 2024.
In other batting news, Abbey Castman and Rylie Al-Anazi did most of the damage at the plate: Castman went 3-for-4 with four RBI, two runs, and one triple, while Al-Anazi scored three runs and stole a base while going 2-for-5. Those four RBI gave Castman a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Anna Litster, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 1-for-5.
While South Allegheny didn't have the best season last year (they finished 7-10), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. Everything went their way against Springdale on Wednesday as they made off with a 21-1 victory. That looming 21-1 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Gladiators yet this season.
Like Shady Side Academy, South Allegheny also got a great game from a two-way player: Carrera Conley. She struck out eight batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Conley was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with four RBI, one triple, and one double. That triple was her first of the season.
In other batting news, South Allegheny got a massive performance out of Cadence McBride, who scored four runs and stole two bases while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances. Those stolen bases were McBride's first of the season. Another player making a difference was Emma Jackson, who scored four runs and stole a base while going 3-for-4.
South Allegheny always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .719. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
The win made it two in a row for South Allegheny and bumps their season record up to 5-1. The victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered a grand total of 3 runs in those games. As for Shady Side Academy, their win (their first of the season) made their record 1-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Shady Side Academy has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like South Allegheny struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Shady Side Academy suffered a grim 18-1 defeat to South Allegheny in their previous meeting back in April of 2023. Can the Bulldogs avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
