Softball Preview: Hastings Tigers vs. Blair Bears
Hastings is 0-5 against Blair since September of 2022 but things could change on Thursday. The Hastings Tigers will face off against the Blair Bears. Hastings' pitching crew has only allowed 3.9 runs per game this season, so Blair's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Hastings is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Nebraska's top teams: Norris, who was ranked 22nd in their home state at the time (Hastings was ranked fifth). Hastings took a 7-4 hit to the loss column at the hands of Norris on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Blair's rock-solid pitcher showed up for the team's third consecutive shutout on Monday. They beat Elkhorn North by the very same score they won with in their prior game: 8-0. Considering the Bears have won ten contests by more than six runs this season, Monday's blowout was nothing new.
The team relied heavily on Claire Anderson, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 1-for-1. Another player making a difference was Mia McClain, who scored a run while going 2-for-3.
Blair was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .435. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved they're batting average total in three consecutive matchups.
Hastings' defeat ended a six-game streak of away wins dating back to last season and brought them to 15-5. As for Blair, they are on a roll lately: they've won seven of their last eight games, which provided a nice bump to their 19-5 record this season.
Hastings suffered a grim 10-2 defeat to Blair in their previous matchup last Saturday. Can Hastings avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
