Softball Preview: Bellevue Wolverines vs. Hazen Highlanders
Bellevue is 6-1 against Hazen since March of 2022, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Monday. The Bellevue Wolverines will head out on the road to square off against the Hazen Highlanders at 4:00 p.m. Bellevue is strutting in with some hitting muscle, as they've averaged 11.2 runs per game this season.
Last Friday, Bellevue fell victim to a tough 25-12 defeat at the hands of Mercer Island. Bellevue has now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Ava Warner made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and scored three runs and stole a base while getting on base in all five of her plate appearances. The team also got some help courtesy of Alexis DeBoer, who scored a run while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances.
Meanwhile, Hazen came up short against Liberty on Friday and fell 9-6. Hazen has not had much luck with Liberty recently, as the team's come up short the last eight times they've met.
Hazen saw six different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Sofia Ayala Ayala-cordova, who scored two runs while going 2-for-4. Ayala Ayala-cordova has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts in six consecutive pitching appearances. Keegan Castro was another key contributor, scoring a run while going 2-for-4.
Bellevue's loss dropped their record down to 6-10. As for Hazen, they now have a losing record at 5-6.
Monday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Bellevue has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .488. However, it's not like Hazen struggles in that department as they've averaged .475. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Bellevue came up short against Hazen when the teams last played back in March, falling 14-9. Can Bellevue avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
