Softball Game Preview: Head-Royce Jayhawks vs. Saint Mary's Panthers

Head-Royce is 0-4 against Saint Mary since April of 2015 but things could change on Thursday. The Jayhawks will host the Panthers at 4:00 p.m. Head-Royce will be strutting in after a victory while Saint Mary's will be coming in after a defeat.

Having struggled with four losses in a row, Head-Royce turned things around against Hercules on Wednesday. They narrowly escaped with a win as the squad sidled past the Titans 5-3. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Jayhawks have posted since March 15, 2024.

Juno Yu made a splash no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out 12 batters over seven innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off five hits (and only one walk). That's the most strikeouts she has posted since back in April of 2024. She was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-2.

Sienna Howard

Hits

04/16/25 vs Hercules	2
05/09/24 vs Lick-Wilmerding	0
04/30/24 vs Redwood Christian	1
04/23/24 vs Making Waves Academy	2

In other batting news, Sienna Howard was incredible, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base. That's the most hits she has posted since back in April of 2024.

The home team had won the previous three meetings between Saint Mary's and Pinole Valley, and Pinole Valley kept the tradition alive. The Panthers lost 12-1 to the Spartans on Wednesday. The defeat continues a trend for the Panthers in their meetings with the Spartans: they've now lost nine in a row.

Aoife Shen made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-3.

Saint Mary's loss dropped their record down to 4-7. As for Head-Royce, their win bumped their record up to 2-5.

Head-Royce suffered a grim 11-1 defeat to Saint Mary's in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Will the Jayhawks have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.