Softball Game Preview: McFarland Cougars vs. Taft Wildcats

McFarland is 0-10 against Taft since March of 2019 but things could change on Tuesday. The Cougars will be playing at home against the Wildcats at 6:30 p.m. McFarland has given up an average of 11.1 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

McFarland is headed into Tuesday's game looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their fifth straight game on Thursday. They might be feeling deja-vu: they lost 14-3 to Chavez, which was the same score (and result) they got the week prior.

Shafter hit Taft with a four-run fifth inning on Thursday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Wildcats fell just short of the Generals by a score of 5-4. Wildcats fans who chose to attend the game sure picked the wrong one: it was the first time the team's lost against the Generals since on Thursday.

Rilynne Stenderup spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and four unearned) runs on nine hits.

At the plate, Taft saw six different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Kenadie Hale, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Rylee Owens was another, going 2-for-4 with one stolen base and one run.

McFarland's loss dropped their record down to 4-11. As for Taft, they have been struggling recently as they've lost seven of their last eight contests. That's put a noticeable dent in their 9-11 record this season.

McFarland might still be hurting after the 10-0 defeat they got from Taft in their previous matchup back in May of 2024. Can the Cougars avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.