Softball Game Preview: North Eugene Highlanders vs. Crater Comets

Highlanders

Runs

04/03/26 vs Tualatin	1
03/31/26 @ Dallas	0
03/23/26 vs Lake Oswego	4
03/22/26 @ McKay	26
03/21/26 vs Gresham	13
+ 3 more games

North Eugene is 0-10 against Crater since April of 2022 but things could change on Tuesday. The Highlanders will be playing in front of their home fans against the Comets at 5:00 p.m. North Eugene is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.8 runs per game this season.

Tualatin hit North Eugene with a five-run first inning on Friday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Highlanders lost 8-1 to the Timberwolves.

Ella Anderson made the most of her time in the batter's box despite the final result and went 2-for-4 with one home run. That home run was her first of the season.

Meanwhile, Crater had already won two in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 12.5 runs) and they went ahead and made it three on Thursday. They came out on top against the Hornets by a score of 7-2.

Ally Nottingham made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She struck out six batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off six hits (and not a single walk). She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Amanda Hammer, who got on base in three of her four plate appearances with two RBI and one run. Another player making a difference was Hayden Kenyon, who went 1-for-3 with one home run.

Crater's win bumped their record up to 3-1. As for North Eugene, their loss dropped their record down to 5-3.

Tuesday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. North Eugene has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .519. However, it's not like Crater struggles in that department as they've averaged .500. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.

North Eugene suffered a grim 15-7 defeat to Crater in their previous meeting back in April of 2025. Can the Highlanders avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.