Softball Game Preview: Tualatin Timberwolves vs. Oregon City Pioneers

Tualatin is 2-8 against Oregon City since April of 2022 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Friday. The Timberwolves are taking a road trip to face off against the Pioneers at 5:00 p.m. Tualatin is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8 runs per game this season.

Tualatin will bounce into Friday's matchup after beating Tigard, who they had gone 1-8 against in their nine prior meetings. The Timberwolves beat the Tigers on Wednesday by the very same score they won with in their prior game: 7-6. Give some credit to the fans of both teams: the last three times they've met, the home team has come away the winner.

Reese Strode spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and five unearned) runs on seven hits. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 12 consecutive appearances.

Oregon City came out on top against Lake Oswego on Wednesday thanks in part to the team's impressive six-run sixth inning. The Pioneers were the clear victors by a 9-2 margin over the Lakers.

Piper Berrington looked comfortable as she pitched four innings while giving up just two earned runs off seven hits. What's more, she posted four strikeouts, the most she's had since back in March.

At the plate, the team relied heavily on Maggie Schneider, who went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI. Chloe Stromme also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.

Tualatin's victory was their third straight at home, which pushed their record up to 14-10. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 14.0 runs over those games. As for Oregon City, their record now sits at 11-13.

Tualatin suffered a grim 9-0 defeat to Oregon City in their previous meeting last Monday. Can the Timberwolves avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.