Softball Game Preview: Hammond Morton Governors vs. Griffith Panthers

The Hammond Morton Governors will challenge the Griffith Panthers at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Hammond Morton has given up an average of 7.6 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Hammond Morton is coming in off a wild two-game stretch: after soaring to 16 runs on Thursday, they were much more limited against Hammond Bishop Noll on Monday. They came up short against the Warriors, falling 11-1. The game snapped a strange streak: the last four times these teams have met, it?s been the away team that?s taken home the W.

Hammond Morton saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Juleeana Temores, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with one stolen base and one run.

Meanwhile, Griffith waltzed into their game on Monday with six straight wins... but they left with seven. They came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured a 3-2 W against the Hawks.

Brylie Bridges spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and one unearned) run on five hits and racked up 13 Ks. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances.

Griffith pushed their record up to 14-5 with the victory, which was their third straight on the road. The road wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.7 runs on average over those games. As for Hammond Morton, their loss dropped their record down to 9-4.

Tuesday's match will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Hammond Morton hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .356. However, it's not like Griffith struggles in that department as they've averaged .319. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.

Hammond Morton couldn't quite get it done against Griffith when the teams last played back in May of 2023 as they fell 14-9. Can the Governors avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.