Aitkin has won seven straight games at home (dating back to last season), while Rush City has won seven straight on the road, but those streaks won't matter much on Thursday. The Gobblers will welcome the Tigers at 4:30 p.m. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
On Tuesday, Aitkin made easy work of Ogilvie and carried off an 8-1 win. The Gobblers haven't had any issues with the Lions recently, as the game was their fourth consecutive victory against them.
Sienna Melz
| 04/15/25 @ Braham | 5 |
| 04/25/25 @ Mille Lacs co-op [Isle/Onamia] | 5 |
| 04/22/25 vs Pine City | 6 |
| 04/11/25 vs Mora | 8 |
| 04/17/25 @ Crosby-Ironton | 9 |
Sienna Melz spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned run on eight hits and racked up 15 Ks. Those 15 strikeouts set a new season-high mark for her.
On the hitting side, Kate Palm and Madellyn Schneider did most of the damage at the plate: Palm went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run and two RBI, while Schneider went a perfect 4-for-4 with four stolen bases, one run, and one RBI. That home run marked the first that Palm has launched this season. Haley Shereck was another key player, going 2-for-4 with one run and one double.
Aitkin was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .469. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .394 or higher in six consecutive matches.
Rush City never got on the board in their matchup on Saturday, but that sure wasn't the case in their game against Crosby-Ironton on Tuesday. They blew past the Rangers 16-3.
Kendal Pillar and Natalie Rood were major factors no matter where they played. On the mound, Pillar tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Rood struck out ten batters over four innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits (and only one walk). She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in four consecutive appearances. At the plate, Pillar went a perfect 3-for-3 with four runs, one stolen base, and two RBI, while Rood got on base in all four of her plate appearances with four runs and one double.
In other batting news, Rush City got a massive performance out of Addisyn Antonson, who got on base in all four of her plate appearances with two stolen bases, one triple, and two RBI. Another player making a difference was Lola Mold, who got on base in three of her four plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Aitkin's win bumped their record up to 7-0. As for Rush City, their victory bumped their record up to 7-4.
Both the two teams just can't seem to miss. Aitkin has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 13 hits per game. However, it's not like Rush City struggles in that department as they've been averaging only 3.9 hits. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Aitkin came out on top in a nail-biter against Rush City in their previous matchup on April 8th, sneaking past 2-1. Will the Gobblers repeat their success, or do the Tigers have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
