Softball Game Preview: San Leandro Pirates vs. Piedmont Highlanders

The San Leandro Pirates will venture away from home to face off against the Piedmont Highlanders at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. San Leandro's pitching crew has only allowed 2.5 runs per game this season, so Piedmont's hitters will have their work cut out for them.

San Leandro managed to slip by Castro Valley the last time these teams faced off, but didn't have those same answers this time around. The Pirates lost 11-0 to the Trojans on Wednesday. The Pirates' loss signaled the end of their three-game winning streak.

Meanwhile, Piedmont hadn't done well against Berkeley recently (they were 1-8 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Wednesday. The Highlanders had just enough and edged out the Yellowjackets 4-3. Winning may never get old, but the Highlanders sure are getting used to it with their fourth in a row.

Miya Fujimoto was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out seven batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in six consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and one run.

Fujimoto wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Samantha Ronen, who went 1-for-2 with one stolen base and one RBI. Hannah Joerger also deserves some recognition as she hit her first double of the season.

San Leandro's defeat dropped their record down to 16-3. As for Piedmont, their record now sits at 9-6.

Everything went San Leandro's way against Piedmont in their previous matchup back in May of 2024, as San Leandro made off with an 11-1 victory. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Pirates since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.