Softball Game Preview: Iola-Scandinavia Thunderbirds vs. Winneconne Wolves

The Iola-Scandinavia Thunderbirds are taking a road trip to square off against the Winneconne Wolves at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Iola-Scandinavia will be strutting in after a win while Winneconne will be coming in after a loss.

Iola-Scandinavia will bounce into Friday's match after beating Westfield Area, who they had gone 0-3 against in their three prior meetings. The Thunderbirds put the hurt on the Pioneers with a sharp 14-4 victory last Thursday.

Rayanne Clendenning was a major factor no matter where she played. She struck out eight batters over seven innings while giving up three earned (and one unearned) runs off six hits. Clendenning was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring a run while going 3-for-5.

In other batting news, Brooklyn Berrens was incredible, scoring four runs and stealing three bases while going 4-for-4. Ava Printz was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 4-for-5.

Iola-Scandinavia always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .556. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Westfield Area only posted an OBP of .258.

For whatever reason, it's the away team that's had the advantage when Winneconne and Kewaskum meet (three straight games heading into this one) and that held true again on Thursday. The Wolves fell just short of the Indians by a score of 5-4.

Iola-Scandinavia suffered a grim 8-0 defeat to Winneconne in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Can the Thunderbirds avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.