Softball Game Preview: Hart Pirates vs. Orchard View Cardinals

Hart has gone a perfect 3-0 against Orchard View recently and they'll look to pad the win column further on Thursday. The Pirates will challenge the Cardinals at 4:00 p.m. Hart is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 10.6 runs per game this season.

On Tuesday, Hart made easy work of Shelby and carried off a 10-2 victory. The win continues a trend for the Pirates in their matchups with the Tigers: they've now won seven in a row.

Kelsey Copenhaver was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out 11 over seven innings pitched. She has been consistent: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in five consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-5 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI. That's the most hits she has posted since back in April.

Reese Smith

Runs Batted In (Career)

05/06/25 vs Shelby	4
04/22/25 @ Hesperia	2
04/22/25 @ Hesperia	2
04/09/25 @ Mason County Central	2
05/06/25 vs Shelby	1

In other batting news, Reese Smith was incredible, going a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs. Those four RBI gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Caydence Bateson, who went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases and one run.

Hart was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .378. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .303 or higher in three consecutive matchups.

Meanwhile, Orchard View fell victim to Oakridge and their airtight pitching crew on Tuesday. They lost 19-0 to the Eagles. The loss continues a trend for the Cardinals in their meetings with the Eagles: they've now lost seven in a row.

Orchard View's defeat dropped their record down to 2-5. As for Hart, their record now sits at 12-4.

Orchard View's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Hart has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .473. It's a different story for Orchard View, though, as they've only averaged .338. Will they be able to contain Hart's hitters?

Hart came out on top in a nail-biter against Orchard View when the teams last played back in April of 2024, sneaking past 13-11. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Pirates since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.