Softball Game Preview: Newcomerstown Trojans vs. Strasburg-Franklin Tigers

Newcomerstown hasn't had much luck against Strasburg-Franklin recently, but that could start to change on Monday. The Trojans will challenge the Tigers at 5:00 p.m. Both come into the matchup bolstered by wins in their previous matches.

Last Saturday, Newcomerstown earned a 9-5 victory over Minerva.

McConnell Makayla was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing two bases while going 3-for-4. Maddie Kellish was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-3.

Meanwhile, Strasburg-Franklin has relied on a stalwart pitchers averaging four runs allowed per game, but that average took a hit on Friday. They were the clear victors by a 16-10 margin over Sandy Valley. The win continues a trend for the Tigers in their matchups with the Cardinals: they've now won three in a row.

Miley Reifenschneider and Lauren Harvey made a splash while hitting and pitching. Throwing, Reifenschneider struck out eight batters over four innings while giving up just two earned (and seven unearned) runs off eight hits (and not a single walk). Meanwhile, Harvey tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off three hits. Reifenschneider has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than one walk in three consecutive appearances. At bat, Reifenschneider went 1-for-5 with one triple and two RBI, while Harvey scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-4. That's the most hits Harvey has posted since back in April of 2024.

In other batting news, Strasburg-Franklin got a massive performance out of Ella Gilkerson, who went 4-for-5 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs. That's the most runs Gilkerson has posted since back in May of 2024. Addy Sibila also deserves some recognition as she hit her first double of the season.

Strasburg-Franklin always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .537. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

The victory got Strasburg-Franklin back to even at 3-3. As for Newcomerstown, the win got them back to even at 1-1.

Newcomerstown couldn't quite finish off Strasburg-Franklin in their previous matchup back in May of 2024 and fell 3-1. Can the Trojans avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.