Softball Game Preview: Altamont Indians vs. Vandalia Vandals

Altamont and Vandalia are an even 4-4 against one another since April of 2015, but likely not for long. The Indians will venture away from home to take on the Vandals at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Altamont hasn't scored more than two runs for three games straight, a trend the team is eager to reverse.

Altamont took a ten-run defeat the last time they faced off against Charleston, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Indians sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 2-1 victory over the Trojans on Tuesday. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Indians have posted since March 24th.

Grace Lemke

Batters Struck Out

04/22/25 vs Charleston	20
04/21/25 @ Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg	9
04/18/25 @ Newton	9
04/17/25 vs Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City	15
04/15/25 @ Ramsey	9
+ 11 more games

Grace Lemke spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered a run (which was unearned) on two hits and racked up 20 Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts any time she's pitched this season.

Meanwhile, Vandalia fell victim to North Mac and their airtight pitching crew on Tuesday. They took a 4-0 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Panthers. The Vandals have struggled against the Panthers recently, as the game was their fourth consecutive lost meeting.

Vandalia also let their pitcher toss all seven innings and she was also dialed-in: Madison Lupton gave up three earned (and one unearned) runs on eight hits and racked up seven Ks.

Altamont's victory bumped their record up to 12-5. As for Vandalia, their loss dropped their record down to 4-10.

Vandalia's hitters will have their work cut out for them on Thursday. Altamont has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 15.4 strikeouts per game. It's a different story for Vandalia, though, as they've been averaging an even more impressive 4.1 strikeouts. Will Altamont keep running through batters, or will the Vandals buck the trend?

Altamont came out on top in a nail-biter against Vandalia in their previous matchup back in April of 2024, sneaking past 7-6. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Indians since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.