Santa Fe Trail is preparing for their first district matchup of the season on Tuesday. They will look to defend their home field against the Prairie View Buffalos at 4:30 p.m. The two teams are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.
Santa Fe Trail is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They put the hurt on Perry-Lecompton with a sharp 12-2 win on Friday. The victory continues a trend for the Chargers in their matchups with the Kaws: they've now won three in a row.
Sydnee Sleichter
| 03/28/25 vs Perry-Lecompton | 3 |
| 03/25/25 vs Holton | 2 |
| 05/06/24 vs Burlington | 2 |
| 04/23/24 @ Wellsville | 2 |
| 04/09/24 @ Osawatomie | 2 |
Sydnee Sleichter was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she pitched six innings while giving up just two earned runs off nine hits. What's more, she gave up only one walk, the fewest she's had since back in April of 2024. She was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run while going 1-for-5. The dominant performance also gave her a new career-high in RBI (three).
In other batting news, Santa Fe Trail let Trinity Fawl and Kendall Baird run wild. Fawl scored two runs while going 3-for-4, while Baird scored three runs while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances. The team also got some help courtesy of Reese Black, who scored two runs while going 1-for-3.
Santa Fe Trail was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .424. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .343 or higher every time they've taken the field this season.
Meanwhile, Prairie View hadn't done well against Columbus recently (they were 0-4 in their previous four matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Thursday. Prairie View blew past Columbus 22-9. Considering the Buffalos have won three matchups by more than nine runs this season, Thursday's blowout was nothing new.
Ellie Jarred and Rian Stainbrook did most of the damage at the plate: Jarred scored four runs and stole a base while going 5-for-5, while Stainbrook scored three runs while going 3-for-4. Jarred also put up two RBI, which were her first of the season. Ryleigh Lueker was another key player, scoring two runs while going 3-for-5.
Prairie View's win bumped their record up to 3-1. As for Santa Fe Trail, their victory bumped their record up to an identical 3-1.
Tuesday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Santa Fe Trail hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .415. However, it's not like Prairie View struggles in that department as they've averaged .509. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more softball content.
