The Southridge Suns will face off against the Hanford Falcons at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Southridge is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.3 runs per game this season.
Southridge will roll into the match after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up one run on Friday, then bounced right back against Walla Walla on Tuesday. The Suns came out on top against the Blue Devils by a score of 10-6. The Suns haven't had any issues with the Blue Devils recently, as the game was their sixth consecutive win against them.
Avery Garvey made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she tossed seven innings while giving up just two earned (and four unearned) runs off six hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks any time she's pitched this season. She was also big at the plate, getting on base in three of her five plate appearances with one run and one RBI.
In other batting news, Southridge let Jadyn Holdren and Orian Hagen run wild. Holdren went 1-for-4 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI, while Hagen went 2-for-3 with three RBI and one stolen base. Those two stolen bases gave Holdren a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Anna Marty, who went 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double.
Meanwhile, Hanford waltzed into their contest on Tuesday with two straight wins... but they left with three. They came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured a 2-1 W against the Mavericks. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Falcons have posted since April 1st.
Like Southridge, Hanford also got a great game from a two-way player: Heidi Sweet. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over four innings while giving up just one earned run off one hit. Sweet was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.
In other batting news, Kenzie Hofstad was excellent, going 2-for-4 with two doubles, one run, and one RBI. Neve Jimenez was another key player, going 2-for-3 with one triple.
Southridge's win bumped their record up to 11-8. As for Hanford, their victory bumped their record up to 16-4.
Friday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Southridge has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .439. However, it's not like Hanford struggles in that department as they've averaged .488. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Southridge couldn't quite get it done against Hanford in their previous meeting back in April of 2024 as they fell 10-5. Can the Suns avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
