Softball Game Preview: Canfield Cardinals vs. Jackson Polar Bears

The Canfield Cardinals will square off against the Jackson Polar Bears at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Having both just faced considerable losses, both teams are looking to turn things around.

Canfield is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Ohio's top teams: Boardman, who was ranked ninth at the time (Canfield was ranked 20th). The Cardinals came up short against the Spartans on Friday, falling 13-3. The Cardinals' defeat signaled the end of their three-game winning streak.

Meanwhile, Jackson suffered their biggest loss since April 1st on Thursday. They lost 12-5 to South Range. Like the Cardinals, the Polar Bears also had to let a streak go: they had won six straight, but that streak is no more.

Jackson got a good showing from Courtney Helle, who pitched three innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off two hits. Helle has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 12 consecutive appearances.

At the plate, Emma Smith made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went a perfect 1-for-1 with two runs, one triple, and one RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Madi Moden, who went 1-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI.

Jackson's defeat dropped their record down to 17-6-1. As for Canfield, their loss dropped their record down to 19-4-1.