Softball Preview: Mojave Mustangs vs. Riverdale Cowboys
Mojave has enjoyed the comforts of home their last three games, but now they'll head out on the road. They will challenge the Riverdale Cowboys at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Mojave is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 10.2 runs per game this season.
Mojave is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Wednesday. They blew past Boron 13-2. Considering Mojave has won seven games by more than six runs this season, Wednesday's blowout was nothing new.
Evangelina Mendizabal was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she pitched five innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off six hits. Mendizabal has been consistent recently: she hasn't pitched less than five innings in six consecutive pitching appearances. Mendizabal was also big at the plate, going 1-for-4 with three RBI and a double.
In other batting news, Mojave let Reyanna Williams and Bernardina Sanchez loose on the outfield. Williams scored three runs while going 3-for-4, while Sanchez scored two runs while going 2-for-3. Odalys Aranda was another key contributor, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-2.
Meanwhile, Riverdale had to endure a six-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. They won by a run and slipped past Granite Hills 4-3.
Brynn Close spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three runs (all of which were unearned) on seven hits.
On the hitting side, Riverdale saw six different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Yesenia Yslas, who scored a run while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances.
Mojave pushed their record up to 11-5 with that win, which was their fifth straight at home. As for Riverdale, their victory ended a three-game drought at home and bumped them up to 9-12.
Riverdale's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Mojave has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9.6 hits per game. It's a different story for Riverdale, though, as they've been averaging 11.2. Given Mojave's sizable advantage in that area, Riverdale 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.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
