Softball Game Preview: LBJ Austin Jaguars vs. Lago Vista Vikings

The LBJ Austin Jaguars will venture away from home to challenge the Lago Vista Vikings at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. LBJ Austin has given up an average of 16 runs per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Wednesday just wasn't the day for LBJ Austin's offense. They came up short against Manor New Tech on Wednesday, falling 15-0. The defeat continues a trend for the Jaguars in their meetings with Manor New Tech: they've now lost four in a row.

Meanwhile, Lago Vista had already won eight in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 17.5 runs) and they went ahead and made it nine on Tuesday. They never let the Polar Bears get on the board and left with a 24-0 win. The result was nothing new for the Vikings, who have now won ten contests by eight runs or more so far this season.

Winter Callahan made a splash no matter where she played. She struck out nine 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 given up more than one earned run in nine consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, scoring three runs while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances.

In other batting news, Mikayla Vasquez was a standout: she got on base in all three of her plate appearances with one home run, two stolen bases, and three RBI. Those three RBI gave her a new career-high. Ellie Helton was another key player, scoring four runs and stealing a base while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances.

Lago Vista lost a few balls and finished the game with two home runs. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post two or more home runs.

Lago Vista's victory was their seventh straight at home, which pushed their record up to 11-9. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 16.9 runs over those games. As for LBJ Austin, their loss dropped their record down to 2-5.

LBJ Austin suffered a grim 20-0 defeat to Lago Vista in their previous matchup back in March. Can the Jaguars avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.