Softball Game Preview: Cedar Key Sharks vs. Hawthorne Hornets

For the first time this season, Cedar Key will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup. They will head out on the road to challenge the Hawthorne Hornets at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The squads are rolling into the game with opposing streaks: Cedar Key has struggled recently with three losses in a row, while Hawthorne will arrive with four straight wins.

Cedar Key couldn't beat West Port on Monday even though they stacked five runs on them in the fourth inning. The Sharks took a 13-10 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Wolf Pack.

Meanwhile, Hawthorne was not the first on the board on Friday, but they got there more often. Everything went their way against North Marion as they made off with a 15-5 victory. The result was nothing new for the Hornets, who have now won six contests by ten runs or more so far this season.

Makenzie Swilley was a standout: she went a perfect 4-for-4 with three runs, four RBI, and two doubles. Those four hits gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Willow Melendy, who went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, three runs, and two doubles.

They weren't the only ones making solid contact: Hawthorne kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 17 hits. They are a perfect 6-0 when they post 11 or more hits.

Cedar Key's defeat dropped their record down to 2-4. As for Hawthorne, their win bumped their record up to 7-2.

Cedar Key came up short against Hawthorne when the teams last played on March 13th, falling 8-3. Can the Sharks avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.