Andrean and Hobart are an even 5-5 against one another since May of 2018, but likely not for long. The Andrean Fighting 59ers will head out on the road to square off against the Hobart Brickies at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. The pair are strolling into their contests after big wins in their previous games.
Andrean is headed into the game fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. Their pitchers stepped up to hand Portage an 18-0 shutout on Wednesday. Winning may never get old, but Andrean sure is getting used to it with their sixth in a row.
Sadie Drousias made a splash no matter where she played. She didn't allow a single earned run and only two hits over four innings pitched. Drousias was also big at the plate, scoring three runs and stealing a base while going 3-for-3.
In other batting news, Andrean let Maggie Voliva and Gracie Wardingley loose on the outfield. Voliva went 2-for-3 with five RBI, a stolen base, and a run, while Wardingley went 3-for-3 with three RBI, a triple, and a run. Another player making a difference was Jayci Alba, who scored two runs while going 1-for-2.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Hobart, who bounced back after a loss on the road last Wednesday. Everything went their way against Hammond Central on Wednesday as Hobart made off with a 13-0 win. The high-scoring effort was just what Hobart needed considering they were shutout in their previous matchup.
Like Andrean, Hobart also got a great game from a two-way player: Morgan Ellenberger. Throwing, Ellenberger struck out nine batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and only one walk). Meanwhile, Ella Hornak struck out six batters over two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and not a single walk). At the plate, Ellenberger went 3-for-3 with four RBI, two runs, and a double, while Hornak scored a run while going 2-for-3.
In other batting news, Keirys Click and Nora Hornak did most of the damage at the plate: Click scored two runs while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances, while Hornak scored a run while getting on base in all three of her plate appearances. The team also got some help courtesy of Payton Michael, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 1-for-3.
Andrean's victory was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 19-4. As for Hobart, they have been performing well recently as they've won 11 of their last 14 matches, which provided a nice bump to their 15-6 record this season.
Friday's contest will be a test for both team's pitchers. Andrean hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .380. However, it's not like Hobart struggles in that department as they've averaged .362. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Andrean took their win against Hobart in their previous meeting back in May of 2023 by a conclusive 9-1. Does Andrean have another victory up their sleeve, or will Hobart turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
