Softball Game Preview: Griffith Panthers vs. Hammond Morton Governors

The Griffith Panthers will head out on the road to challenge the Hammond Morton Governors at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Griffith will be looking to extend their current seven-game winning streak.

Griffith took a six-run loss the last time they faced off against Hebron, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Panthers won by a run and slipped past the Hawks 3-2.

Brylie Bridges spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and one unearned) run on five hits and racked up 13 Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances.

Meanwhile, after soaring to 16 runs the game before, Hammond Morton was a bit more limited in their game on Monday. They lost 11-1 to Hammond Bishop Noll. The game snapped a strange streak: the last four times these teams have met, it?s been the away team that?s taken home the W.

Hammond Morton saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Juleeana Temores, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with one stolen base and one run.

Griffith's win was their third straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 14-5. Those road victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.7 runs on average over those games. As for Hammond Morton, their defeat dropped their record down to 9-4.

Tuesday's matchup might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Griffith has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .437. However, it's not like Hammond Morton struggles in that department as they've averaged .535. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.

Griffith was able to grind out a solid win over Hammond Morton in their previous meeting back in May of 2023, winning 14-9. Will the Panthers repeat their success, or do the Governors have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.