Softball Preview: Yelm Tornados vs. Central Kitsap Cougars
Yelm is 10-0 against Central Kitsap since April of 2017, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Thursday. The Yelm Tornados will be playing in front of their home fans against the Central Kitsap Cougars at 3:30 p.m. Yelm is strutting in with some hitting muscle, as they've averaged 12.8 runs per game this season.
In what's become a running theme this season, Yelm gave their fans yet another huge win on Wednesday. They blew past Capital 22-3. The victory made it back-to-back wins for Yelm.
Kylie Minker was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she tossed an inning while giving up no earned runs off one hit (she also didn't allow any walks). Minker was even better at the plate, going 2-for-5 with five RBI, two runs, and a double.
In other batting news, Elissa Dewees and Kamille Kautz did most of the damage at the plate: Dewees went 2-for-3 with four RBI, two runs, and a stolen base, while Kautz scored three runs and stole two bases while going 3-for-4. Layah Hicks was another key contributor, scoring two runs while going 3-for-4.
Meanwhile, Central Kitsap was not able to break out of their rough patch on Wednesday as the team picked up their seventh straight defeat. Their tough 9-3 loss to Gig Harbor might stick with them for a while.
Coral Howell spent all seven innings played on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and six unearned) runs on nine hits. Those seven innings set a new season-high mark for her.
At the plate, Ava Day led a balanced group of hitters, scoring a run and stealing a base while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances. Another player making a difference was Kai Camacho, who scored two runs while going 2-for-3.
Yelm's victory was their third straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 6-2. They've been dominating during the matches in that stretch too, as they've won by an average of 16.7 runs. As for Central Kitsap, their defeat dropped their record down to 1-9.
Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Thursday. Yelm hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 0.9 home runs per game. However, it's not like Central Kitsap struggles in that department as they've been averaging 0.9. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.
Yelm skirted past Central Kitsap 6-4 when the teams last played back in May of 2023. Does Yelm have another victory up their sleeve, or will Central Kitsap turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
