Softball Preview: Newton Falls Tigers vs. Chalker Wildcats
The Newton Falls Tigers will head out on the road to square off against the Chalker Wildcats at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Newton Falls is no doubt hoping to put an end to an eight-game streak of away losses.
Newton Falls gave up the first runs on Monday, but they didn't let that get them down. They were the clear victor by a 12-2 margin over John F. Kennedy Catholic.
Kylee Lance was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out ten batters over six innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off five hits (and not a single walk). Lance has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive pitching appearances. Lance was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three RBI and a triple.
In other batting news, Autumn Willaman and Kirra Howard did most of the damage at the plate: Willaman scored three runs while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances, while Howard scored three runs while getting on base in two of her five plate appearances. Ella Downing was another key contributor, scoring a run and stealing a base while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances.
Meanwhile, Chalker entered their game against Maplewood on Monday without any home losses, but there's a first time for everything. Chalker fell 8-5 to Maplewood. It was the first time this season that Chalker let down their fans at home.
Like Newton Falls, Chalker also got a great game from a two-way player: Gabby Hromada. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. Hromada was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
In other batting news, Morgan Strock was cooking despite her team's loss, scoring three runs and stealing four bases while going 4-for-4. Another player making a difference was Gabby Nieves, who scored a run while going 3-for-4.
Even though they lost, Chalker didn't let batters stay on the plate for long and finished the game with ten strikeouts. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Maplewood only tossed six.
Newton Falls' victory ended a three-game drought at home and bumped them up to 5-18. As for Chalker, their defeat ended a four-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 10-4.
Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Wednesday. Newton Falls hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 0.5 home runs per game. However, it's not like Chalker struggles in that department as they've been averaging 0.6. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.
Newton Falls suffered a grim 11-0 defeat to Chalker in their previous meeting back in April of 2023. Can Newton Falls avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
