Columbia Central is 0-3 against Northwest since April of 2015 but things could change on Tuesday. The Golden Eagles will head out on the road to take on the Mounties at 4:00 p.m. Columbia Central is currently enjoying a perfect season and no doubt wants to keep things rolling.
Columbia Central's pitching crew heads into the game hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Monday. They were the clear victors by a 15-0 margin over Vandercook Lake. The Golden Eagles might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won five matchups by seven runs or more this season.
Hailey Wetherby made a splash no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, keeping things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out 11 over four innings pitched. She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than one earned run any time she's pitched this season. She was also big at the plate, getting on base in two of her four plate appearances with two RBI and one run.
In other batting news, Columbia Central let Gabby Gaydosh and Kelsey Fausz run wild. Gaydosh got on base in three of her four plate appearances with two stolen bases, three runs, and two RBI, while Fausz got on base in three of her four plate appearances with two runs and two RBI. Camden Knapp also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.
Northwest came out on top against Clinton on Thursday thanks in part to the team's impressive four-run third inning. The Mounties walked away with an 8-5 win over the Redwolves. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Mounties.
Like Columbia Central, Northwest also got a great game from a two-way player: Lucy Bivens (2025). On the mound, she tossed seven innings while giving up four earned (and one unearned) runs off seven hits. Bivens (2025) was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with two RBI and one run.
In other batting news, Shannon Christner (2028) was excellent, going 1-for-4 with one home run and four RBI. Another player making a difference was Ava Golightly (2025), who went 2-for-4 with two runs and one stolen base.
Columbia Central pushed their record up to 8-0 with the victory, which was their fifth straight at home. The home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.6 runs over those games. As for Northwest, their record now sits at 3-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Columbia Central has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 10.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Northwest struggles in that department as they've been averaging 9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Columbia Central came up short against Northwest in their previous meeting back in May of 2017, falling 6-1. Can the Golden Eagles avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
