DeRidder is preparing for their first district matchup of the season on Thursday. They will square off against the Iowa Yellowjackets at 5:00 p.m. DeRidder has given up an average of 10.3 runs per game this season, so hopefully the team got some pitching drills in this week.
DeRidder is headed into Thursday's match looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their third straight game on Wednesday. They came up short against Iota, falling 16-2.
| 03/05/25 @ Iota | 1 |
| 03/02/25 vs Notre Dame | 1 |
| 02/28/25 @ Grand Lake | 1 |
DeRidder saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Hailey Johnson, who scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-2. Johnson has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last three times she's played. Another was Elley Allen, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases.
Meanwhile, Iowa gave up the first runs last Monday, but they didn't let that get them down. They put the hurt on Sulphur with a sharp 9-3 win. The result was nothing new for the Yellowjackets, who have now won four games by six runs or more so far this season.
Ayla Stollsteimer spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and two unearned) runs on six hits.
On the hitting side, Allie Darbonne was excellent, scoring a run while going 2-for-4. Hadlee Henry also deserves some recognition as she got her first hit of the season.
The victory got Iowa back to even at 4-4. As for DeRidder, their defeat dropped their record down to 4-6.
Iowa's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: DeRidder has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .456. It's a different story for Iowa, though, as they've only averaged .361. Will they be able to contain DeRidder's hitters?
DeRidder might still be hurting after the 28-1 loss they got from Iowa in their previous meeting back in March of 2023. Can DeRidder avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
