Softball Game Preview: Shiprock Chieftains vs. Aztec Tigers

Shiprock is 0-10 against Aztec since April of 2019 but things could change on Tuesday. The Chieftains will host the Tigers at 6:00 p.m. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.

Shiprock took a ten-run defeat the last time they faced off against Bloomfield, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Chieftains won by a run and slipped past the Bobcats 19-18.

Meanwhile, Aztec entered their tilt with Miyamura on Thursday with three consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with four. They put the hurt on the Patriots with a sharp 11-1 win. The result was nothing new for the Tigers, who have now won six matches by six runs or more so far this season.

Kamora Henry made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over five innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits. Those hits marked the first that she allowed this season. She was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in all four of her plate appearances with one RBI.

In other batting news, Reagan Bradshaw was a standout: she went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI. Those three hits gave her a new career-high. Cheyenne Yellow was another key player, going 3-for-4 with three runs, two doubles, and one triple.

Aztec lost a few balls and finished the game with two home runs. They are a perfect 5-0 when they post two or more home runs.

Shiprock's victory bumped their record up to 6-8. As for Aztec, their win bumped their record up to 9-10.

Shiprock suffered a grim 20-0 defeat to Aztec when the teams last played back in April of 2024. Can the Chieftains avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.