The Independence Patriots will head out to square off against the Cox Mill Chargers at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The teams are on pretty different trajectories at the moment (Independence has 12 straight victories, Cox Mill has three straight losses), but none of that matters once you're on the field.
Independence had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 15-run drubbing they dealt East Mecklenburg last Thursday. The Patriots' pitcher stepped up to hand the Eagles a 15-0 shutout. The Patriots might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 12 matchups by ten runs or more this season.
Maliyah Alexander was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit over four innings pitched. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in six consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.
Emma Wrangham
| 04/10/25 @ East Mecklenburg | 3 |
| 04/04/25 vs Garinger | 2 |
| 03/25/25 @ Butler | 2 |
| 03/21/25 vs Rocky River | 2 |
| 03/03/25 @ Mallard Creek | 2 |
In other batting news, Emma Wrangham was a standout: she went 2-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI. Those three runs gave her a new career-high. Natalie Johnson was another key player, going 2-for-4 with one home run and three RBI.
Independence kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 15 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in three consecutive games.
Meanwhile, Thursday just wasn't the day for Cox Mill's offense. They came up short against Lake Norman on Thursday, falling 10-0.
Independence pushed their record up to 17-2 with the win, which was their fourth straight on the road. Those road victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 13.5 runs over those games. As for Cox Mill, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-16.
Cox Mill's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Independence has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9.4 hits per game. It's a different story for Cox Mill, though, as they've been averaging 13 hits. Given Independence's sizable advantage in that area, the Chargers will need to find a way to close that gap.
Independence might still be hurting after the 21-11 loss they got from Cox Mill in their previous matchup back in March of 2024. Can the Patriots avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
