Softball Game Preview: Dongola Demons vs. Cobden Appleknockers

The Dongola Demons will square off against the Cobden Appleknockers at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Dongola is coming into the contest on a three-game losing streak.

Dongola came into this matchup off a tough 19-run defeat two weeks ago. This time they kept things ultra-competitive, but unfortunately the final result was the same. They fell just short of Shawnee by a score of 5-3 on Friday.

Abigail Lang spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and two unearned) runs on seven hits.

Kali Short

Stolen Base

03/28/25 vs Shawnee	1
03/19/25 vs Pope County	1
03/18/25 vs Galatia/Thompsonville	1
03/17/25 @ Gallatin County	1

On the hitting side, Dongola saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Kali Short, who scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-4. Short is crushing it when it comes to stolen bases: she's snagged at least one every time she's taken the field this season. Honor Sheppard was another, scoring two runs and stealing a base while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances.

Meanwhile, Cobden came up short against Trico on Friday, falling 13-1. The Appleknockers haven't had much luck with the Pioneers recently, as the team has come up short the last five times they've met.

Dongola's loss dropped their record down to 1-3. As for Cobden, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-2.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Dongola has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Cobden struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.