Softball Preview: Grand Junction Central Warriors vs. Fruita Monument Wildcats
Grand Junction Central and Fruita Monument are an even 5-5 against one another since October of 2019, but likely not for long. The Grand Junction Central Warriors are taking a road trip to take on the Fruita Monument Wildcats at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Grand Junction Central is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. Everything went their way against Palisade on Monday as Grand Junction Central made off with a 17-3 win. Winning may never get old, but the Warriors sure are getting used to it with their third in a row.
Grand Junction Central got a great performance from Sophie Aragon as she tossed five innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off eight hits. Aragon has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive pitching appearances.
On the hitting side, Emma Diaz was a standout: she scored two runs and stole two bases while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances. The team also got some help courtesy of Audrie Hanson, who scored a run while going 3-for-3.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, Grand Junction Central was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .500. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved they're batting average total in three consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, Fruita Monument got the win against Montrose on Saturday by a conclusive 19-1. That looming 19-1 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Wildcats yet this season.
Lacie Rodabaugh was incredible, getting on base in all three of her plate appearances with a home run, three runs, and four RBI. What's more, she also racked up no strikeouts, the fewestshe's had since back in October of 2023. Addison Cutshall was another key player, scoring four runs while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances.
Grand Junction Central's record is now 9-5. As for Fruita Monument, the victory made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 7-5.
Tuesday's game will be a test for both team's pitchers. Grand Junction Central hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of 0. However, it's not like Fruita Monument struggles in that department as they've averaged 0. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Grand Junction Central came up short against Fruita Monument in their previous meeting back in October of 2023, falling 7-3. Can Grand Junction Central 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
