Softball Game Preview: Urbana Hillclimbers vs. Shawnee Braves

Urbana is 0-6 against Shawnee since April of 2016 but things could change on Friday. The Hillclimbers will host the Braves at 5:15 p.m. Urbana has given up an average of 13.6 runs per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Urbana is headed into Friday's match looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their 20th straight game on Wednesday. They lost 12-6 to Tecumseh. The home team had taken home the W every time these teams have met since April 19, 2017, but that streak is no more.

Jazmyn Scott made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 1-for-3 with two runs and one double. Dakota Nance also deserves some recognition as she hit her first double of the season.

Meanwhile, Shawnee got themselves on the board against Bellefontaine on Thursday, but Bellefontaine never followed suit. They put the hurt on the Chieftains with a sharp 10-0 victory. The Braves might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won nine contests by nine runs or more this season.

Shawnee also got a great performance from Alee Trimmer as she didn't allow a single earned run over five innings pitched. Trimmer has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in 13 consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, Ava George was a standout: she went 1-for-2 with two runs and one RBI. Lilly Adams was another key player, going 1-for-2 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run.

Shawnee's win was their eighth straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 19-3. The home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 0.9 runs on average over those games. As for Urbana, their defeat dropped their record down to 1-21.

Urbana suffered a grim 17-0 defeat to Shawnee in their previous meeting back in May of 2023. Will the Hillclimbers have more luck at home instead of on the road? Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other softball content.