The Gladstone Gladiators will venture away from home to face off against the Molalla Indians at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Gladstone's pitching crew has only allowed 2.8 runs per game this season, so Molalla's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Gladstone fought the good fight in their extra-innings contest against The Dalles on Thursday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Riverhawks by a score of 2-1. The Gladiators' defeat signaled the end of their five-game winning streak.
Ashlynne Franssen
| 04/24/25 @ The Dalles | 14 |
| 04/23/25 vs The Dalles | 17 |
| 04/21/25 vs Estacada | 15 |
| 04/17/25 @ Estacada | 13 |
| 04/16/25 vs Madras | 7 |
| + 8 more games |
Ashlynne Franssen spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered two runs (both of which were unearned) on four hits and racked up 14 Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts any time she's pitched this season.
Meanwhile, Molalla posted their closest win since March 24th on Thursday. They sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 7-5 victory over Madras. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Indians.
Brenna Jackson made a splash no matter where she played. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run while striking out nine over seven innings pitched. Jackson was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in March.
In other batting news, Kalea Lopes was incredible, going a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double. Those four hits gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Madison Shultz, who got on base in three of her four plate appearances with one stolen base and one RBI.
Molalla was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .419. They are a perfect 6-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Gladstone's loss was their first in the league, dropping their league record down to 5-1 and their overall record down to 7-7. As for Molalla, the win got them back to even at 7-7.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Gladstone has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 13.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Molalla struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Gladstone skirted past Molalla 9-8 when the teams last played back in May of 2024. Do the Gladiators have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Indians turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
