Malvern is 0-3 against Sheridan since April of 2017 but things could change on Thursday. The Leopards will take on the Yellowjackets at 5:00 p.m. One thing working in Malvern's favor is that they have posted at least ten runs in their last four games.
Malvern's pitching crew heads into the match hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Tuesday. They put the hurt on Bismarck with a sharp 14-0 win. The result was nothing new for the Leopards, who have now won 15 contests by six runs or more so far this season.
Kendall Watson was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only one hit over four innings pitched. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up a single earned run in four consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, getting on base in all three of her plate appearances with one home run.
Takayla Stewart
| 04/22/25 vs Bismarck | 4 |
| 04/11/25 vs Bauxite | 3 |
| 03/20/25 @ Fouke | 3 |
| 03/13/25 vs Lake Hamilton | 3 |
| 04/15/25 @ ESTEM | 2 |
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Takayla Stewart, who went 3-for-4 with one home run, four RBI, and one double. Those four RBI gave her a new career-high. Addi White was another key player, getting on base in all three of her plate appearances with two runs and two RBI.
Malvern was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .421. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .421 or higher in three consecutive games.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Sheridan, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Monday. They came out on top in a nail-biter against Genoa Central on Tuesday, sneaking past 7-6. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Yellowjackets have posted since April 1st.
Marly Lancaster and Mason Wilson did most of the damage at the plate: Lancaster went 2-for-3 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one double, while Wilson went 1-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one double. The team also got some help courtesy of Averie Redd, who earned two runs and one stolen base.
Sheridan's win was their 12th straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 15-4. The home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 12.3 runs over those games. As for Malvern, they have been performing incredibly well recently as they've won nine of their last ten matches. That's provided a nice bump to their 17-5 record this season.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Thursday as neither team is afraid to steal. Malvern has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Sheridan struggles in that department as they've been averaging 2.9 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Malvern suffered a grim 14-4 defeat to Sheridan in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Can the Leopards avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
