Softball Game Preview: Mulberry Grove Aces vs. Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City Bobcats

Mulberry Grove is 8-2 against Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City since March of 2019 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Thursday. The Aces will look to defend their home field against the Bobcats at 4:30 p.m. Mulberry Grove is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.8 runs per game this season.

Mulberry Grove is probably headed into the game with a chip on their shoulder considering Casey-Westfield just ended the team's three-game winning streak on Tuesday. They lost 10-3 to the Warriors.

Taylor Stone and Jenni Mezo did some serious damage despite the final result: Stone went 2-for-3 with one home run and two RBI, while Mezo got on base in three of her four plate appearances with one home run. That home run marked the first that Mezo launched this season.

Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City never got on the board in their matchup last Monday, but that sure wasn't the case in their game against North Clay/Clay City last Tuesday. They walked away with a 10-5 victory over North Clay/Clay City. The high-scoring performance was a welcome turnaround for the Bobcats' hitters, who had struggled in the games prior.

Addison Wasson spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered five runs (all of which were unearned) on four hits and racked up 12 Ks.

At the plate, Birgen Schlanser was a standout: she scored three runs and stole a base while going 3-for-4. That's the most runs she has posted since back in March of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Ryleigh Sarver, who scored four runs while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances.

Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City's first win this season bumped their record up to 1-2. As for Mulberry Grove, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-2.

Mulberry Grove's speedy runners might be the difference in Thursday's match. The Aces have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.8 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, though, as they've been averaging only 0.3 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Mulberry Grove continue to outrun the ball?

Mulberry Grove took their victory against Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City in their previous matchup back in March of 2024 by a conclusive 11-0 score. Will the Aces repeat their success, or do the Bobcats have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.