Softball Preview: Cranston West Falcons vs. Smithfield Sentinels
Cranston West is 7-2 against Smithfield since April of 2015, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Monday. The Cranston West Falcons will look to defend their home field against the Smithfield Sentinels at 4:30 p.m. Cranston West is strutting in with some hitting muscle, as they've averaged 8.8 runs per game this season.
Cranston West is probably headed into the contest with a chip on their shoulder considering Coventry just ended the team's four-game winning streak on Thursday. They fell just short of the Oakers by a score of 3-2. The result shouldn't come as a shock considering that's the fewest runs Cranston West has scored all season.
Mia Crudale spent all ten innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and one unearned) run on five hits and racked up 11 Ks. Those ten innings set a new season-high mark for her.
On the hitting side, Sam Healy made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
Meanwhile, Smithfield faced Chariho in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Tuesday. Smithfield's pitcher stepped up to hand Chariho a 6-0 shutout. The victory was some much needed relief for Smithfield as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.
The result came thanks to Crystal Cacador's shutout, as she gave up just two hits and racked up seven Ks.
At the plate, Lily Riggin was incredible, going 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, and a double. Madison Kennedy was another key contributor, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-4.
Having lost for the first time this season, Cranston West fell to 4-1. As for Smithfield, their win ended a four-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 2-3.
Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Monday. Cranston West hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 1.2 home runs per game. However, it's not like Smithfield struggles in that department as they've been averaging 0.6. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.
Cranston West beat Smithfield 7-3 when the teams last played back in May of 2023. Will Cranston West repeat their success, or does Smithfield have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
