Softball Game Preview: Clifton Mustangs vs. Passaic Valley Hornets

Mustangs

Runs

04/14/25 @ Passaic	12
04/09/25 @ Passaic County Tech	5
04/04/25 vs Eastside	19
04/02/25 vs Lakeland Regional	2
03/31/25 @ West Milford	3

The Clifton Mustangs will head out to square off against the Passaic Valley Hornets at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Clifton is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.2 runs per game this season.

Clifton is headed out in good spirits considering the team just ended their winless streak on the road against Passaic on Monday. The Mustangs never let the Indians get on the board and left with a 12-0 win.

Sydney Reeb looked comfortable as she struck out seven batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and only one walk). She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts in three consecutive appearances.

At the plate, Clifton got a massive performance out of Casey Mullen, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-4. Mullen also put up two doubles, which were her first of the season. Another player making a difference was Stephanie Flete, who scored three runs and stole a base while going 4-for-4.

Clifton always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .529. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Meanwhile, Passaic Valley is still undefeated this season after their matchup against West Milford on Monday, but West Milford came as close as anyone has to beating them. The Hornets came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured a 5-4 W against the Highlanders. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Hornets have posted against the Highlanders since May 1, 2015.

Passaic Valley pushed their record up to 6-0 with the win, which was their sixth straight on the road dating back to last season. Those road victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they've averaged 7.5 runs this season. As for Clifton, they picked up their first road win, bumping their record up to 2-3.

Clifton might still be hurting after the 13-0 defeat they got from Passaic Valley in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Can the Mustangs avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.