Softball Preview: Wheat Ridge Farmers vs. Conifer Lobos
Wheat Ridge is 7-2 against Conifer since September of 2015, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Saturday. The Wheat Ridge Farmers will host the Conifer Lobos at 10:00 a.m. Wheat Ridge is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.7 runs per game this season.
Having struggled with three defeats in a row, Wheat Ridge finally turned things around against Green Mountain on Wednesday. They narrowly escaped with a victory as the team sidled past the Rams 5-4.
Haley Cross was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out 13 batters over seven innings while giving up three earned (and one unearned) runs off eight hits. With that strong performance, she is now averaging an impressive 5.2 strikeouts per game. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with two stolen bases and an RBI. Those 13 strikeouts gave her a new career-high.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Claire Tompkins, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. Skarlette Arenas was another key player, scoring two runs while going 2-for-4.
Wheat Ridge didn't let batters stay on the plate for long and finished the game with 13 strikeouts. That's the most strikeouts they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, Conifer had already won eight in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 9.6 runs) and they went ahead and made it nine on Wednesday. They were the clear victor by a 16-5 margin over the Demons. Considering the Lobos have won ten matchups by more than nine runs this season, Wednesday's blowout was nothing new.
Siena Shields was incredible, going 2-for-3 with a home run, five RBI, and two runs. The team also got some help courtesy of Ruby Haver, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
Wheat Ridge now has a winning record of 10-9. As for Conifer, their win bumped their record up to 15-3.
Saturday's game will be a test for both team's pitchers. Wheat Ridge hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of 0. However, it's not like Conifer struggles in that department as they've averaged 0. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Wheat Ridge suffered a grim 16-1 defeat to Conifer in their previous matchup back in September. Will Wheat Ridge have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
