Softball Game Preview: Western Wildcats vs. Monarch Knights

The Western Wildcats will take on the Monarch Knights at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Western's pitching crew has only allowed 2.7 runs per game this season, so Monarch's hitters will have their work cut out for them.

Western's usually-dominant pitching crew will be looking to make up for Tuesday's struggle, when Coral Springs Charter hitters got past them. Western lost 10-0 to Coral Springs Charter on Tuesday. The Wildcats haven't had much luck with the Panthers recently, as the team has come up short the last six times they've met.

Meanwhile, Monarch earned a 4-1 win over South Broward on Wednesday.

Sammie Rice and Jayden Uzzo did most of the damage at the plate: Rice went 1-for-2 with three RBI and one double, while Uzzo scored a run while going 2-for-3. The team also got some help courtesy of Emily Phipps, who scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-3.

Monarch was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .417. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.

Monarch's victory ended a four-game drought at home dating back to last season and bumped them up to 4-5. As for Western, their defeat dropped their record down to 8-2-1.

Thursday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Western hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .313. However, it's not like Monarch struggles in that department as they've averaged .372. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.

Everything went Western's way against Monarch in their previous meeting back in February of 2023, as Western made off with an 8-2 win. Does Western have another victory up their sleeve, or will Monarch turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.