Softball Game Preview: Clare Pioneers vs. Pinconning Spartans

The Clare Pioneers will head out on the road to face off against the Pinconning Spartans at 4:00 p.m. on Monday. One thing working in Clare's favor is that they have posted at least ten runs in their last 11 matchups.

On Saturday, Clare got the win against Marquette by a conclusive 15-1. Considering the Pioneers have won 16 games by more than five runs this season, Saturday's blowout was nothing new.

Pinconning came out on top against Beaverton on Thursday thanks in part to the team's impressive seven-run seventh inning. The Spartans blew past the Beavers 13-1. The Spartans have beaten the Beavers the last three times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Beavers has come to flipping the script.

Ella Hunter made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out seven batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits. Those seven strikeouts gave her a new career-high. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-5 with one home run and two RBI.

In other batting news, Pinconning let Laken Gibala and Elley Shoultes run wild. Gibala went 3-for-4 with one home run, two stolen bases, and three runs, while Shoultes went 4-for-5 with two stolen bases, three runs, and one double. Those three runs gave Gibala a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Layla Foco, who went 1-for-5 with four RBI, one triple, and one run.

Pinconning lost a few balls and finished the game with two home runs. That's the most home runs they've managed all season.

Clare's record now sits at 18-1. As for Pinconning, their record is now 7-8.

Clare couldn't quite finish off Pinconning in their previous meeting back in May of 2024 and fell 5-3. Can the Pioneers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.