Softball Game Preview: Bureau Valley Storm vs. Newman Central Catholic Comets

Bureau Valley is 2-8 against Newman Central Catholic since April of 2019 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Wednesday. The Storm will head out on the road to square off against the Comets at 4:30 p.m. Newman Central Catholic took a loss in their last match and will be looking to turn the tables on Bureau Valley, who comes in off a win.

Last Saturday, Bureau Valley made easy work of Princeville and carried off a 13-3 win. The result was nothing new for the Storm, who have now won seven contests by six runs or more so far this season.

Mallery Maubach

Batters Struck Out

04/12/25 vs Princeville	5
04/05/25 vs Monmouth United	6
03/29/25 @ Polo	8

Mallery Maubach spent all six innings played on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned (and one unearned) runs on five hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in three consecutive appearances.

At the plate, Danni Benavidez and Carly Reglin did most of the damage at the plate: Benavidez scored three runs and stole a base while going 3-for-4, while Reglin scored two runs while going 2-for-4. The dominant performance also gave Benavidez a new career-high in doubles (two). Emma Stoll also deserves some recognition as she hit her first double of the season.

Bureau Valley was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .515. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Princeville only posted a batting average of .348.

Meanwhile, Newman Central Catholic was not able to break out of their rough patch on Monday as the team picked up their third straight defeat. They came up short against Erie-Prophetstown, falling 19-4.

Amiya Rodriguez made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and scored a run while going 2-for-4.

Bureau Valley has been performing well recently as they've won four of their last five games. That's provided a massive bump to their 9-6 record this season. The victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.2 runs over those games. As for Newman Central Catholic, their loss dropped their record down to 3-8.

Bureau Valley couldn't quite get it done against Newman Central Catholic when the teams last played back in May of 2024 as they fell 4-0. Can the Storm avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.