Softball Game Preview: PORTA/Ashland-Chandlerville Central Bluejays vs. Pleasant Plains Cardinals

The PORTA/Ashland-Chandlerville Central Bluejays will head out to take on the Pleasant Plains Cardinals at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. PORTA/Ashland-Chandlerville Central has given up an average of 8.2 runs per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

The home team had come away the winner the last six times PORTA/Ashland-Chandlerville Central and Athens had met, but sadly for the fans who attended this one that wasn't the case. The Bluejays took an 11-6 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Warriors on Tuesday.

Morgan Miller was cooking despite her team's loss, scoring a run while going 3-for-3. Kaydence Hamm also deserves some recognition as she brought in her first RBI of the season.

Meanwhile, it may have taken nine innings to finish the job, but Pleasant Plains ultimately got the result they hoped for on Tuesday. They walked away with a 10-6 win over Maroa-Forsyth.

Kayden Skinner spent all nine innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered five earned (and one unearned) runs on 11 hits.

At the plate, the team relied heavily on Lexie Shimkus, who went 2-for-4 with one home run, five RBI, and two runs. Those five RBI gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Delaney Murphy, who scored three runs and stole a base while going 3-for-5.

Pleasant Plains kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 14 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.

PORTA/Ashland-Chandlerville Central's defeat dropped their record down to 3-7. As for Pleasant Plains, their record is now 5-2-1.

PORTA/Ashland-Chandlerville Central might still be hurting after the 12-6 loss they got from Pleasant Plains in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Can the Bluejays avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.