The Doherty Memorial Highlanders will head out to take on the Advanced Math & Science Academy Eagles at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Doherty Memorial 3.5, Advanced Math & Science Academy 2.2) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Doherty Memorial came into their game on Wednesday off a hard-fought close win, but unfortunately suffered a serious change of fortune. They came up short against Wachusett Regional, falling 13-2. The pitching woes were uncharacteristic for the Highlanders, who until this game were averaging 3.46 runs allowed.
Doherty Memorial saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Sofia Panagiotou, who went 1-for-2 with one stolen base and one run.
Meanwhile, Advanced Math & Science Academy waltzed into their contest on Wednesday with six straight wins... but they left with seven. Their pitcher stepped up to hand the Rangers a 9-0 shutout. Considering the Eagles have won 12 matchups by more than six runs this season, Wednesday's blowout was nothing new.
Ava McLeod made a splash no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only two hits while striking out 12 over seven innings pitched. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts any time she's pitched this season. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with four RBI and one double.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Guilamina Yost, who went 3-for-4 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. Another player making a difference was Madelyn Glynn, who went 2-for-4 with two runs and one stolen base.
Advanced Math & Science Academy was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .467. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .346 or higher in seven consecutive games.
Advanced Math & Science Academy pushed their record up to 12-1 with the win, which was their 19th straight at home dating back to last season. The home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.3 runs on average over those games. As for Doherty Memorial, their loss ended a six-game streak of away wins and brought them to 8-5.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Doherty Memorial has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Advanced Math & Science Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging 9.4 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Doherty Memorial might still be hurting after the 10-2 defeat they got from Advanced Math & Science Academy in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Can the Highlanders avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
