Softball Preview: Avenal Buccaneers vs. Coalinga Horned Toads
Avenal is 0-10 against Coalinga since April of 2017 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Thursday. The Avenal Buccaneers will be playing in front of their home fans against the Coalinga Horned Toads at 4:00 p.m. Avenal is strutting in with some hitting muscle, as they've averaged 10.6 runs per game this season.
On Wednesday, Avenal came up short against Firebaugh and fell 8-3. Avenal has now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Avenal saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Khloe Nieto, who scored a run and stole two bases while going 3-for-3.
Meanwhile, Coalinga can now show off nine landslide victories after their most recent matchup on Thursday. Their pitcher stepped up to hand Tranquillity a 16-0 shutout. The high-scoring effort was just what Coalinga needed considering they were shutout in their previous game.
Brooklyn Davis made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, keeping things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out 13 over five innings pitched. Davis has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one walk in three consecutive pitching appearances. Davis was also big at the plate, scoring three runs and stealing a base while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances.
In other batting news, Coalinga got a massive performance out of Sophie Walker, who scored four runs and stole two bases while going 3-for-3. Lola Martin was another key contributor, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with three runs, three RBI, and a triple.
Avenal's loss dropped their record down to 11-6. As for Coalinga, they pushed their record up to 10-7 with that victory, which was their sixth straight at home dating back to last season.
Thursday's contest will be a test for both team's pitchers. Avenal hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .445. However, it's not like Coalinga struggles in that department as they've averaged .321. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Avenal might still be hurting after the 14-1 defeat they got from Coalinga in their previous matchup back in April of 2023. Will Avenal have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
