Softball Game Preview: Eastmark Firebirds vs. Combs Coyotes

For the second straight game, Eastmark will face off against Combs. The Firebirds will square off against the Coyotes at 3:45 p.m. on Thursday. The teams are on pretty different trajectories at the moment (Eastmark has seven straight victories, Combs has seven straight defeats), but none of that matters once you're on the field.

Last Tuesday, Eastmark made easy work of Combs and carried off a 15-1 win. The result was nothing new for the Firebirds, who have now won ten games by seven runs or more so far this season.

Ella Larned

Runs Batted In (Career)

04/15/25 vs Combs	5
04/08/25 vs ALA - Gilbert North	3
03/04/24 @ Mesquite	3
03/29/25 vs Desert Sunrise	2
02/29/24 @ Tempe	2

Eastmark got a massive performance out of Ella Larned, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, five RBI, and three runs. Those five RBI gave Larned a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Jasmine Boling, who scored three runs and stole a base while going 3-for-3.

Eastmark was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .417. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .304 or higher in ten consecutive matchups.

Eastmark's victory was their eighth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 15-6. The home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.8 runs over those games. As for Combs, their loss dropped their record down to 5-16.

Combs' pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Eastmark has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9 hits per game. It's a different story for Combs, though, as they've been averaging 10.6 hits. Given Eastmark's sizable advantage in that area, the Coyotes will need to find a way to close that gap. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.