Softball Game Preview: Pequea Valley Braves vs. Kennard-Dale Rams

The Pequea Valley Braves are taking a road trip to take on the Kennard-Dale Rams at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. The teams are rolling into the game with opposing streaks: Pequea Valley has struggled recently with eight losses in a row, while Kennard-Dale will arrive with six straight wins.

For whatever reason, it's the away team that's had the advantage when Pequea Valley and Lancaster Catholic meet (six straight games heading into this one) and that held true again on Wednesday. The Braves lost 13-6 to the Crusaders.

Meanwhile, Kennard-Dale made easy work of West York Area on Wednesday and carried off an 8-2 victory. The result was nothing new for the Rams, who have now won four games by six runs or more so far this season.

Taryn Ashenfelter made a splash no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out 16 batters over seven innings while giving up just two earned runs off eight hits (and only one walk). She has been consistent : she hasn't tossed less than nine strikeouts any time she's pitched this season. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBI and one double.

In other batting news, Addie Argiro was incredible, scoring four runs while going 3-for-4. She continues to improve, besting her previous point total in each of the last three games she's played. Lilliana Fleming also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.

Kennard-Dale pushed their record up to 6-1 with the win, which was their third straight at home. Those home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.3 runs on average over those games. As for Pequea Valley, their defeat dropped their record down to 0-5.

Pequea Valley might still be hurting after the 15-5 loss they got from Kennard-Dale in their previous matchup back in March of 2018. Can the Braves avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.