Softball Game Preview: Phoenix Pirates vs. Henley Hornets

Phoenix is 0-10 against Henley since April of 2017 but things could change on Wednesday. The Pirates will challenge the Hornets at 5:00 p.m. Phoenix is coming into the matchup hot, having won their last five games.

While Phoenix didn't have the best season last year (they finished 7-10), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They put the hurt on Mazama with a sharp 10-3 victory on Friday. The Pirates might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won three games by seven runs or more this season.

Isla Ulrich was excellent, scoring a run and stealing two bases while going 1-for-2. Those stolen bases were her first of the season. Another player making a difference was Carsyn Sousa, who scored two runs while going 2-for-4.

Phoenix lost a few balls and finished the game with two home runs. That's the most home runs they've managed all season.

The home team had come away the winner the last four times Henley and Hidden Valley had met, but sadly for the fans who attended this one that wasn't the case. The Hornets came up short against the Mustangs on Friday, falling 12-2. Having soared to a lofty 16 runs in the game before, the Hornets couldn't push the score so high this time.

Phoenix's win was their fifth straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 6-1. The home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 4.0 runs on average over those games. As for Henley, their defeat ended an 18-game streak of wins at home dating back to last season and dropped them to 6-3.

Phoenix might still be hurting after the 14-1 loss they got from Henley in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Can the Pirates avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.