In terms of pitching, Auburn Riverside was not going to see many arms better than Jo Thompson from Kentridge this season. On April 17, the Ravens got an up close and personal look at one of the best pitchers in the state — and just missed a clutch hit as they fell 3-1.

Thompson ended her outing striking out 18 Ravens over seven innings while surrendering just five hits.

Granted, all five hits came from just two players. The Ravens were threatening all game to push runs across and just couldn’t find a clutch hit.

“I thought in a lot of the innings we had runners on, it felt like a playoff game. It’s a good lesson to have in the middle of the season. You never like to lose, but it’s good to refocus and remember that every little play in a game matters,” Head Coach Bryce Strand said.

Catcher Hannah Potter and second baseman Sloan Cross were the two Ravens who recorded base knocks. Potter went 3-4 with a double and Cross went 2-3 with a double.

Potter has been such a steady presence at the top of the order for Strand this season, and against a really tough arm, it was business as usual.

“She’s OK with hitting the ball to all fields. She lets the ball travel so she can see the ball longer… Not only does she have a lot of power, but she’s a smart hitter and makes adjustments really well,” Strand said.

As a freshman, Cross has impressed Strand with her ability to be a thorn in the side of opposing pitchers.

“I can’t say enough about Sloan in the two spot today. She got on (base) just about every time. When she didn’t, she hit the ball hard. She’s cool as a cucumber, not a lot of emotions. It’s just another at-bat for her. She doesn’t let the moment get to her,” Strand said.

In terms of Auburn Riverside’s pitching, they were able to keep the Chargers at bay for the majority of the game. Makenna Vircks and Kylee Curtis split the game at three innings apiece. Vircks allowed two runs in the bottom of the first on a single.

Potter combined with Cross in the top of the third to score with back-to-back singles to answer.

Curtis came in to pitch in the fourth inning and the freshman was thrust into the most difficult situation a pitcher can be in: bases loaded and no outs. Trailing by just one, the Ravens needed to keep the Chargers within reach, and Curtis did just that.

She recorded a pop out and then a double play after a base running miscue by Kentridge. Curtis’ development isn’t a surprise for Strand, but seeing her perform gives him a lot of hope to see what she can become.

“She understands her role and how we sequence our pitchers…We have full confidence in Kylee that in any situation she’s going to come in and get the job done,” Strand said.

The Chargers ended up getting a single run off Curtis in the sixth to take a 3-1 lead on a double and single.

In the seventh inning, Potter doubled, bringing Cross, who represented the tying run, to the plate with two outs. Cross lined out to the second baseman, ending the game, but an inch to the left or right and the Ravens would have had the clutch hit they had been looking for.

The Ravens are playing just their second game since coming back from Tampa Bay after a spring break trip. It was a trip that gave the Ravens even more time to connect and get to know each other. It didn’t result in a win against Kentridge, but Strand can already see the reward from that experience.

“You get to learn idiosyncrasies that make you tick and drive you nuts. For the second half push, it makes you a stronger team… They were loose today and ran up against a tough pitcher and a couple more pitches either way is the difference,” Strand said.