The Norwich Free Academy Wildcats will venture away from home to square off against the Darien Blue Wave on Wednesday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Norwich Free Academy 2.8, Darien 2) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Norwich Free Academy is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Monday. Everything went their way against Wilton as they made off with a 13-0 victory. Considering the Wildcats have won 14 matches by more than five runs this season, Monday's blowout was nothing new.
Dakota Bourdon
| 06/02/25 vs Wilton | 2 |
| 05/28/25 vs Ledyard | 2 |
| 05/19/25 @ Waterford | 1 |
| 05/17/25 vs Amity Regional | 0 |
Dakota Bourdon made a splash while hitting and pitching. She didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit over five innings pitched. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in April.
In other batting news, Brooke Stringer was a standout: she went 2-for-3 with one home run and three RBI. Olivia Bourdon was another key player, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBI.
Norwich Free Academy was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .429. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .382 or higher in three consecutive games.
Meanwhile, Darien faced St. Joseph in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Thursday. The Blue Wave fell just short of the Cadets by a score of 2-1.
Vivian Knott spent all 13.2 innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and one unearned) run on six hits and racked up 23 Ks.
Norwich Free Academy's record is now 18-5. As for Darien, their loss ended a four-game streak of away wins and brought them to 17-5.
Wednesday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Norwich Free Academy has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .436. However, it's not like Darien struggles in that department as they've averaged .490. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Norwich Free Academy beat Darien 6-2 in their previous meeting back in April of 2017. Do the Wildcats have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Blue Wave turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
