The Northwest Lions will face off against the Hillsboro Hawks at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Both come into the contest bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Northwest had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the ten-run drubbing they dealt Webster Groves on Thursday. The Lions blew past the Statesmen 14-4. The Lions haven't had any issues with the Statesmen recently, as the game was their eighth consecutive win against them.
Adeline Paszkiewicz and Kaylee Eddings made a splash while hitting and pitching. Throwing, Paszkiewicz pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. Meanwhile, Eddings struck out eight batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off eight hits (and only one walk). At the plate, Paszkiewicz went 4-for-5 with three stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI, while Eddings went 3-for-4 with one home run.
In other batting news, Maddie Mulkey was excellent, going 1-for-3 with two runs, one double, and one RBI. Sophia Debella was another key player, going 2-for-5 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Northwest kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 17 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, it may have taken eight innings to finish the job, but Hillsboro ultimately got the result they hoped for on Wednesday. They narrowly escaped with a victory as the squad sidled past North County 6-5. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Hawks have posted since September 21, 2024.
Like Northwest, Hillsboro also got a great game from a two-way player: Ashley Hilton. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over eight innings while giving up five earned runs off ten hits. That's the most strikeouts Hilton has posted since back in October of 2024. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with two runs and one stolen base.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Ally Uphoff, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, two doubles, and one RBI. Another player making a difference was Maizy Sabourin, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Northwest's victory bumped their record up to 7-8. As for Hillsboro, the win got them back to even at 5-5.
Northwest couldn't quite finish off Hillsboro in their previous meeting back in September of 2021 and fell 5-3. Can the Lions avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
