Softball Game Preview: Lakeview Spartans vs. Portage Central Mustangs

Lakeview hasn't had much luck against Portage Central recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. The Spartans are taking a road trip to square off against the Mustangs at 4:00 p.m. The last five games Lakeview has played have been within two runs, so don't be surprised if it's a close one.

Lakeview fought the good fight in their extra-innings match against Zeeland West on Wednesday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Dux by a score of 5-4.

Meanwhile, Portage Central had already won five in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 6.2 runs) and they went ahead and made it six on Monday. They skirted past the Comets 5-3.

Portage Central pushed their record up to 9-3 with the win, which was their sixth straight on the road dating back to last season. Those road victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.2 runs on average over those games. As for Lakeview, their loss dropped their record down to 7-5.

Lakeview might still be hurting after the 10-0 defeat they got from Portage Central in their previous meeting back in May of 2024. Can the Spartans avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.