Softball Game Preview: Half Moon Bay Cougars vs. Notre Dame Tigers

The Half Moon Bay Cougars are taking a road trip to face off against the Notre Dame Tigers at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Half Moon Bay is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.6 runs per game this season.

Half Moon Bay came up short against Sequoia on Thursday, falling 14-4. The Cougars have struggled against the Ravens recently, as the game was their third consecutive lost meeting.

Zoey Schwartz was cooking despite her team's loss, scoring a run and stealing two bases while going 2-for-3. Paisley Harris was another key player, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-3.

Meanwhile, Notre Dame entered their tilt with Maria Carrillo on Saturday with three consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with four. They blew past the Pumas 12-1. Considering the Tigers have won six games by more than five runs this season, Saturday's blowout was nothing new.

Hailey Truong was incredible, scoring two runs and stealing two bases while going 4-for-5. Those four hits gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Skylar Loo, who went 3-for-5 with four RBI.

Notre Dame was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .444. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .333 or higher in three consecutive contests.

Notre Dame's record now sits at 10-3-1. As for Half Moon Bay, their loss dropped their record down to 6-8.

Tuesday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Half Moon Bay hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .331. However, it's not like Notre Dame struggles in that department as they've averaged .346. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.

Half Moon Bay suffered a grim 15-1 defeat to Notre Dame when the teams last played back in March of 2022. Can the Cougars avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.