Softball Preview: Denver North Vikings vs. Northfield Nighthawks
Denver North hasn't had much luck against Northfield recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. The Denver North Vikings will host the Northfield Nighthawks at 6:00 p.m. Denver North is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.8 runs per game this season.
If Denver North beats Northfield with 17 runs on Thursday, it's going to be the team's new lucky number: they've won their past two matches with that exact score. Denver North blew past Denver East 17-1 on Tuesday. The Vikings might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won nine contests by ten runs or more this season.
Xavia Escobedo made a splash no matter where she played. On the mound, she pitched four innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one walk in three consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, scoring three runs while going 3-for-3.
In other batting news, Denver North got a massive performance out of Veronica Loera-Tafoya, who went 3-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and a triple. Gabriela Diaz was another key player, going 1-for-3 with four RBI, two runs, and a triple.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, Denver North was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .484. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .424 or higher in three consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, Northfield was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their fifth straight defeat. They came up short against Rangeview, falling 19-7. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest loss the Nighthawks have suffered against the Raiders since August 20, 2018.
Bella Robles made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 2-for-3 with three RBI, a stolen base, and a double. The team also got some help courtesy of Carlene Reichmuth, who got on base in all three of her plate appearances with two RBI.
The victory got Denver North back to even at 11-11. As for Northfield, their defeat dropped their record down to 5-17.
Thursday's game will be a test for both team's pitchers. Denver North hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of 0. However, it's not like Northfield 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.
Denver North took their win against Northfield in their previous matchup back in September by a conclusive 17-2. Does Denver North have another victory up their sleeve, or will Northfield turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
