Softball Game Preview: Mahanoy Area Golden Bears vs. Tamaqua Blue Raiders

Mahanoy Area hasn't had much luck against Tamaqua recently, but that could start to change on Monday. The Golden Bears will be playing at home against the Blue Raiders at 4:30 p.m. Mahanoy Area has given up an average of 10.1 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Thursday just wasn't the day for Mahanoy Area's offense. They lost 15-0 to Pine Grove on Thursday. Having soared to a lofty 28 runs in the game before, the Golden Bears' shutout was a dramatic turnaround.

Meanwhile, Tamaqua came tearing into Friday's game with three straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 6 runs), and they left with even more momentum. Everything went their way against the Bulldogs as they made off with an 8-2 win. The result was nothing new for the Blue Raiders, who have now won eight contests by six runs or more so far this season.

Tamaqua got a great performance from Naomi Knitter as she struck out six batters over six innings while giving up just two earned runs off five hits (and only one walk). Knitter has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 14 consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, Leah Crowley was incredible, going 2-for-4 with one home run, four RBI, and one double. The team also got some help courtesy of Ceanna Gormley, who went 3-for-4 with two runs, two RBI, and one double.

Tamaqua was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .429. They are 9-1 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.

Tamaqua's victory bumped their record up to 11-5-1. As for Mahanoy Area, their defeat dropped their record down to 5-9.

Mahanoy Area suffered a grim 16-1 defeat to Tamaqua when the teams last played back in April. Will the Golden Bears have more luck at home instead of on the road? Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other softball content.