The Hardin Northern Polar Bears will take on the Ridgemont Golden Gophers at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Hardin Northern is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.3 runs per game this season.
Hardin Northern had been on a three-game streak of scoring at least ten runs, but Ridgedale put an end to it on Monday. The Polar Bears fell 4-1 to the Rockets. The Polar Bears have struggled against the Rockets recently, as the game was their seventh consecutive lost meeting.
Hardin Northern saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Morgan Stewart, who went 1-for-2 with one stolen base and one run.
Meanwhile, it may have taken eight innings to finish the job, but Ridgemont ultimately got the result they hoped for on Monday. They had just enough and edged out Upper Scioto Valley 6-5. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Golden Gophers have posted since April 10, 2024.
Aubrie Overly was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run over seven innings pitched. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up a single earned run in three consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, getting on base in two of her four plate appearances with three stolen bases.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Ella Manns, who got on base in two of her four plate appearances with three runs. Another player making a difference was Kylie Shreve, who got on base in two of her four plate appearances with two stolen bases and one run.
Hardin Northern's loss dropped their record down to 10-4. As for Ridgemont, their victory bumped their record up to 4-6.
Ridgemont's hitters will have their work cut out for them on Tuesday. Hardin Northern has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7 strikeouts per game. It's a different story for Ridgemont, though, as they've been averaging only 3.7 strikeouts. Will Hardin Northern keep running through batters, or will the Golden Gophers buck the trend?
Hardin Northern came out on top in a nail-biter against Ridgemont in their previous matchup back in April of 2024, sneaking past 10-9. Do the Polar Bears have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Golden Gophers turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
