Softball Recap: Elk Grove Picks Up Fourth Consecutive Win

Thundering Herd

Margin (Wins)

02/21/26 @ Granite Bay	16
04/03/26 @ Monterey Trail	15
04/10/26 vs Patterson	12
03/03/26 @ Lodi	10
04/10/26 vs Oakdale	9

Elk Grove won the last time they faced Cosumnes Oaks and things went their way on Thursday too. The Thundering Herd blew past the Wolfpack 10-2. The result was nothing new for the Thundering Herd, who have now won nine games by eight runs or more so far this season.

Madelyn Benzler made a big impact no matter where she played. She pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than one walk in six consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.

In other pitching news, Elk Grove gave Rachel Willams the start and clearly made the right call: she didn't allow a single earned run over five innings pitched. Willams has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 15 consecutive appearances.

Back at the plate, Elk Grove let Kadence Pettis and Lauren Anderson run wild. Pettis went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and two runs, while Anderson went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs and one stolen base. That's the most runs Anderson has posted since back in March. Another player making a difference was Tamiayh Ward, who went 1-for-4 with two runs and one RBI.

The victory (which was Elk Grove's fourth in a row) raised their record to 20-4. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 8.5 runs over those games. As for Cosumnes Oaks, this is the second loss in a row for them and nudges their season record down to 7-7.

Elk Grove wasted no time getting back out on the field and has already played their next contest, a 5-1 victory against Franklin on the 24th. As for Cosumnes Oaks, they have also already played their next matchup, an 8-7 defeat against Pleasant Grove on the 24th.