Softball Game Preview: Pantego Christian Panthers vs. UME Preparatory Academy EAGLES

The Pantego Christian Panthers will challenge the UME Preparatory Academy EAGLES at 5:30 p.m. on Monday. The squads are rolling into the game with opposing streaks: Pantego Christian has struggled recently with five defeats in a row, while UME Preparatory Academy will arrive with three straight victories.

Pantego Christian came up short against THESA two weeks ago, falling 17-1.

Meanwhile, UME Preparatory Academy hadn't done well against International Leadership of Texas Keller recently (they were 0-5 in their previous five matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Friday. The EAGLES were the clear victors by a 9-1 margin over the Eagles. The result was nothing new for the EAGLES, who have now won eight matches by six runs or more so far this season.

Bethany Gonzales was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she tossed five innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one walk in five consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing a base while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances.

In other batting news, Georgia Thomas was excellent, scoring three runs and stealing a base while getting on base in all three of her plate appearances. Those three runs gave her a new career-high. Jenevive Fleming was another key player, scoring a run and stealing a base while getting on base in two of her three plate appearances.

UME Preparatory Academy always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .704. That was just more of the same: they've now posted an OBP of .552 or higher in three consecutive contests.

UME Preparatory Academy's win was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 9-8-2. Those home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 0.5 runs on average over those games. As for Pantego Christian, their loss dropped their record down to 1-9.