The Girard Indians will head out to challenge the Lakeview Bulldogs at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Girard is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 11.2 runs per game this season.
Girard took a loss when they played away from home on Wednesday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Thursday. They put the hurt on Harding with a sharp 12-2 win. The victory continues a trend for the Indians in their matchups with the Raiders: they've now won four in a row.
Brooklyn Broll made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out seven batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off three hits (and not a single walk). Broll was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs and one stolen base. That's the most hits she has posted since April 1st.

Gianna Saxon
04/24/25 vs Harding | 4 |
04/01/25 vs McKinley | 3 |
03/31/25 @ McKinley | 3 |
03/27/25 @ Struthers | 3 |
04/22/25 @ Poland Seminary | 2 |
In other batting news, Kyra Bell and Gianna Saxon did most of the damage at the plate: Bell went 2-for-3 with three RBI, one stolen base, and one run, while Saxon went a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs and one RBI. Those four hits gave Saxon a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Caylee Wilkes, who went 1-for-4 with one triple, one run, and one RBI.
Girard was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .516. They are 6-1 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Meanwhile, Lakeview had already won three in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 6.3 runs) and they went ahead and made it four on Thursday. They came out on top against the Golden Flashes by a score of 7-3.
Like Girard, Lakeview also got a great game from a two-way player: Isabella Isenberg. She struck out six batters over seven innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off six hits. Isenberg has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with three RBI.
In other batting news, Kennedy Bartlett was excellent, going 3-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double. She has been hot recently, having posted three or more hits the last three times she's played. Mackenzie Stowe was another key player, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run.
Girard's record now sits at 9-7. As for Lakeview, their record is now 10-3.
Friday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Girard has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .504. However, it's not like Lakeview struggles in that department as they've averaged .441. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Girard couldn't quite get it done against Lakeview in their previous meeting on April 7th as they fell 10-5. Can the Indians avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.