Kentridge’s Thompson strikes out 18 in win vs. Auburn Riverside

Historically speaking, Kentridge fastpitch is off to one of its best starts in recent history. The 4A NPSL is an uber competitive league and the Kentridge Chargers just keep on rolling as they downed the defending 3A state champions in Auburn Riverside, 3-1, on April 17.

“It was major win for us. We needed that win bad. Seeing the girls come together and fight was really good to see,” Head Coach Rachel Shillinger said.

Kentridge fell to Stadum 11-5 on April 15, their last time out. The Tigers had won just four games before their dance with the Chargers.

“It feels amazing to know everyone came back mentally and physically ready,” sophomore Jo Thompson said.

Thompson showed her pitching prowess in the win, throwing all seven innings striking out 18 along the way. She has a lethal fastball that pairs well with a rise ball that just takes off. Attacking hitters is key for her, and what is even better is she is always around the strike zone.

“When she’s on the mound and doing her thing out there, we are pretty much unstoppable. She’s a great young pitcher, she’s gonna do big things. I’m excited to watch her grow over the next couple of years,” Shillinger said.

She faced 29 batters through her seven innings of work. She didn’t walk a single Raven hitter and only two Ravens recorded base hits.

“I know some of those girls. It’s fun to play against friends and old teammates. It is a good challenge for me and I really appreciated having the challenge,” Thompson said.

The Ravens threatened Thompson in the first inning — a double from Sloan Cross and a hit batter put runners on second and third. Thompson struck out the next two batters, ending the early threat.

Genesis Miller led off the Chargers’ first inning with a single and Naomi Benevides followed that up with a four-pitch walk. With one out and runners on second and third, Kenzie Coble hit a single up the middle to plate both runners and give Kentridge a 2-0 lead.

“She’s steady, she’s solid. She comes through with big plays when we need her to. That’s why she’s in that four spot,” Shillinger said.

Coble went 2-2 in the win with a walk mixed in, reaching base all three times.

Not only does Coble produce with the bat, but she produces with the glove as well. As the primary catcher for the Chargers, she’s tasked with leading the defense. Her relationship with the pitchers is also paramount.

“She’s caught me for three years. We’ve built a connection and a really good pitching and catching connection. I could not be pitching without her,” Thompson said.

After having a two error game against Stadium, the Kentridge defense buckled down and played a clean game against the Ravens.

“Today was a much-needed bounce back. They showed they are resilient, and they are able to bounce back. That was good to see,” Shillinger said.

Riverside got their one run in the top of the third on a single from Sloan Cross, and the game was very tightly contested until the fifth inning. Kentridge was not one to lack opportunities until that fifth.

Due to a pair of base running miscues, the Chargers had innings with multiple runners on base end prematurely as they ran themselves into double plays. A game that ended 3-1 could have been 5 or 6 to one.

“We’ll work on it. That is going to be something we are going to hammer home. It won’t happen again,” Shillinger said.

Benavides singled in the fifth to score Miller for the third Kentridge run. That insurance run was all Thompson needed as the Chargers held on to win their seventh game of the season.

Kentridge is smack dab in the middle of its season following the win over Auburn Riverside. For Thompson, she believes that bouncing back from failure like the Chargers did against the Ravens will help to continue the success of the 2025 season: “Coming back from failure brings off good energy for me. I know for some girls it brings good mental stability. It helps to have some failure.”

Kenzie Coble walks to first base after a single. Ben Ray / The Reporter