Softball Game Preview: Columbia River Rapids vs. Washougal Panthers

Columbia River is a perfect 10-0 against Washougal since May of 2018 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Friday. The Rapids will head out on the road to challenge the Panthers at 4:00 p.m. Columbia River is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 12.1 runs per game this season.

Columbia River's pitching crew heads into the match hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Wednesday. Everything went their way against Hudson's Bay as they made off with a 29-0 win. The Rapids have beaten the Eagles the last nine times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Eagles has come to flipping the script.

Ruby Lew made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out 13 over five innings pitched. Those 13 strikeouts gave her a new career-high. She was also big at the plate, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with six RBI, three runs, and one triple. She also hit a double, marking her first of the season.

In other batting news, Solei Houk was a standout: she scored five runs and stole a base while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances. Haley Corona was another key player, scoring five runs and stealing two bases while getting on base in three of her five plate appearances.

Columbia River always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .690. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Meanwhile, Washougal fell victim to Mark Morris and their airtight pitching crew on Wednesday. They lost 15-0 to the Monarchs. The Panthers have struggled against the Monarchs recently, as the game was their fifth consecutive lost meeting.

Columbia River now has a winning record of 4-3. As for Washougal, their defeat dropped their record down to 1-8.

Everything went Columbia River's way against Washougal in their previous matchup back in April of 2024, as Columbia River made off with a 14-2 victory. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Rapids since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.