Softball Game Preview: Marshall Eagles vs. Arroyo Knights

Marshall is 0-10 against Arroyo since April of 2019 but things could change on Friday. The Eagles will head out to face off against the Knights at 3:30 p.m. Marshall has given up an average of 21.8 runs per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Marshall is headed into Friday's match looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their 19th straight game dating back to last season on Wednesday. They came up short against South El Monte, falling 16-1. Having soared to a lofty 15 runs in the game before, Marshall couldn't push the score so high this time.

Meanwhile, Arroyo entered their tilt with Rosemead on Monday with three consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with four. They were the clear victors by a 12-2 margin over the Panthers. The result was nothing new for the Knights, who have now won 11 games by eight runs or more so far this season.

Emily Rubalcava was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over five innings while giving up just two earned runs off seven hits. Rubalcava was also solid in the batter's box, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run. She has been hot recently, having posted at least one home run the last three times she's played.

Rubalcava wasn't the only one making solid contact as six players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Hailie Espinoza, who went 1-for-3 with one triple. Another was Alina Linn, who went 2-for-3 with two doubles.

Arroyo was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .407. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .346 or higher in four consecutive contests.

Arroyo pushed their record up to 14-9-1 with the win, which was their fourth straight at home. Those home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.3 runs on average over those games. As for Marshall, their defeat dropped their record down to 0-16.

Marshall suffered a grim 23-2 defeat to Arroyo in their previous matchup back in April. Can the Eagles avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.