The Forestview Jaguars will venture away from home to face off against the Cherryville Ironmen at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Forestview is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.4 runs per game this season.
Forestview will roll into the matchup after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up one run on Friday, then bounced right back against South Point on Tuesday. The Jaguars came out on top against the Red Raiders by a score of 11-7. The high-scoring performance was a welcome turnaround for the Jaguars' hitters, who had struggled in the games prior.
Olivia Hensley
| 04/08/25 @ South Point | 6 |
| 04/04/25 @ Kings Mountain | 8 |
| 04/01/25 vs Crest | 9 |
| 03/27/25 vs Stuart W. Cramer | 9 |
| 03/26/25 vs East Gaston | 10 |
| + 6 more games |
Olivia Hensley made a splash while hitting and pitching. She struck out six batters over seven innings while giving up five earned (and two unearned) runs off 12 hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in 11 consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing a base while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances.
In other batting news, Forestview let Kaitlyn Baker and Miley Skidmore run wild. Baker scored three runs and stole a base while going 1-for-3, while Skidmore scored three runs and stole a base while going 2-for-4. Lily Cabe was another key player, scoring a run while getting on base in three of her five plate appearances.
Meanwhile, Cherryville came tearing into Tuesday's game with three straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 12 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They were the clear victors by a 12-0 margin over the Bulldogs. The result was nothing new for the Ironmen, who have now won nine contests by eight runs or more so far this season.
Like Forestview, Cherryville also got a great game from a two-way player: Raylei Gidney. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only one hit over five innings pitched. Gidney was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with one home run and four RBI. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in March.
In other batting news, Kate Mulvey was a standout: she scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances. Maddie Avery also deserves some recognition as she hit her first doubles of the season.
Cherryville was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .522. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .316 or higher in four consecutive matchups.
Cherryville's win was their third straight at home, which pushed their record up to 11-5. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 14.0 runs over those games. As for Forestview, their record is now 7-9.
Thursday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Forestview hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .313. However, it's not like Cherryville struggles in that department as they've averaged .367. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other softball content.
