Softball Game Preview: Horizon Hawks vs. Evans Trojans

The Horizon Hawks will take on the Evans Trojans in a tournament on Monday. Horizon is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.1 runs per game this season.

On Saturday, Horizon was able to grind out a solid victory over Cherry Hill West, taking the game 4-1. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Hawks.

Mackenzie Duncan

Batters Struck Out

03/29/25 vs Cherry Hill West	16
03/25/25 @ Foundation Academy	9
03/13/25 vs Winter Park	15
03/06/25 @ Lake Minneola	12
03/04/25 @ Windermere	13
+ 22 more games

Mackenzie Duncan was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, keeping things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out 16 over seven innings pitched. That's the most strikeouts she has posted since back in February of 2024. She was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run while going 1-for-4.

Duncan wasn't the only one making solid contact as seven players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Paisley Hernandez, who scored a run and stole three bases while going 3-for-4. With that strong performance, Hernandez is now averaging an impressive 1.1 stolen bases per game. Brooke Grafton was another, scoring a run while going 2-for-2.

Horizon hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now struck out at most four strikeouts in eight consecutive matchups.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Evans). Everything went their way against Jones on Tuesday as Evans made off with a 27-11 win. The game was the first time the Trojans have beaten the Fightin' Tigers on their field since February 28, 2018.

Evans' first victory this season bumped their record up to 1-3. As for Horizon, their win bumped their record up to 12-2.