The Inglemoor Vikings will challenge the Cedarcrest Red Wolves at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. The two teams are strolling into their games after big wins in their previous games.
Inglemoor hadn't beaten Newport - Bellevue on the road since April 6, 2022 but that history sure didn't bother them on Wednesday. The Vikings put the hurt on the Knights with a sharp 15-4 victory. The result was nothing new for the Vikings, who have now won seven matches by seven runs or more so far this season.
Malin Homes (2028)
| 04/09/25 @ Newport - Bellevue | 4 |
| 04/07/25 vs Hazen | 3 |
| 03/27/25 vs Sammamish | 3 |
| 03/28/25 @ Bellevue | 2 |
| 03/17/25 @ Hazen | 2 |
Malin Homes (2028) was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over six innings while giving up four earned runs off four hits. Homes (2028) was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with four RBI and one run. Those four RBI gave her a new career-high.
In other batting news, Alexa Saladin (2025) (PLU) was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing a base while going 3-for-4. That's the most hits she has posted since back in March. Jillian Starosky (2025) was another key player, scoring a run while going 4-for-4.
Inglemoor always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .558. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Newport - Bellevue only posted an OBP of .321.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Cedarcrest). They were the clear victors by a 28-3 margin over Hazen on Wednesday. The win was a breath of fresh air for the Red Wolves as it put an end to their five-game losing streak.
Abby Combs made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Combs was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs while getting on base in four of her six plate appearances.
In other batting news, Cedarcrest let Josie Fiala and Paityn Craig run wild. Fiala went 5-for-6 with one home run, four runs, and four RBI, while Craig got on base in all six of her plate appearances with one home run, four runs, and three RBI. Fiala continues to improve, besting her previous point total in each of the last three games she's played. Another player making a difference was Aspen Balzer, who got on base in five of her six plate appearances with three runs and four RBI.
The victory made it two in a row for Inglemoor and bumps their season record up to 10-3-1. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered a grand total of 7 runs in those games. As for Cedarcrest, their victory bumped their record up to 4-7-1.
Friday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Inglemoor hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .333. However, it's not like Cedarcrest struggles in that department as they've averaged .335. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Inglemoor came out on top in a nail-biter against Cedarcrest when the teams last played back in March, sneaking past 5-3. Will the Vikings repeat their success, or do the Red Wolves have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
