Softball Preview: Vinton Lions vs. Welsh Greyhounds
The Vinton Lions will head out on the road to take on the Welsh Greyhounds at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Both teams come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Vinton has not done well against DeQuincy recently (they were 0-9 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Tuesday. Vinton had just enough and edged DeQuincy out 2-1. The win was nothing new for Vinton as they're now sitting on four straight.
Jaycie O'Conner was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and only two hits while striking out 17 over seven innings pitched. O'Conner has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't pitched less than five innings in seven consecutive pitching appearances. O'Conner was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with a triple, a run, and an RBI.
O'Conner wasn't the only one making solid contact as one players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Bryclyn Fenetz, who scored a run while going 1-for-2.
Meanwhile, Welsh came into Tuesday's matchup having lost six straight, but that streak is now in the rearview. They came out on top in a nail-biter against Grand Lake on Tuesday and snuck past 7-5. The victory was just what Welsh needed coming off of a 7-1 defeat in their prior contest.
Alexis Hayes spent all seven innings played on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered four earned (and one unearned) runs on six hits.
On the hitting side, Maggie Johnson was incredible, going 3-for-3 with three runs, three doubles, and three RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Kenzie Vanness, who scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-3.
Vinton's win was their third straight at home, which pushed their record up to 10-13. As for Welsh, their victory ended a three-game drought on the road and puts them at 5-13.
Vinton beat Welsh 4-1 in their previous matchup on March 12th. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Hayes, who struck out seven batters over six innings while giving up just one earned (and three unearned) runs off five hits (and only one walk). Now that she's got a second chance to win this matchup, will Vinton still be able to contain Hayes? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
