Softball Preview: Air Academy Kadets vs. Liberty Lancers
Air Academy has been on the road for two straight, but on Friday they'll finally head home. They will host the Liberty Lancers at 3:30 p.m. Air Academy is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.9 runs per game this season.
Last Wednesday, Air Academy came up short against Lewis-Palmer and fell 23-19.
Keira Finkle and Kylen Tucker did some serious damage despite the final result: Finkle went 3-for-5 with a home run, five runs, and five runs, while Tucker went 5-for-5 with a home run, three runs, and three runs. What's more, Tucker also racked up five hits, the mostshe's had since back in August. Rideau Dravida was another key player, going 2-for-5 with a home run, three runs, and three runs.
Even though they lost, Air Academy always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .520. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Liberty entered their tilt with Pueblo West on Thursday with five consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with six. They narrowly escaped with a victory as the squad sidled past the Cyclones 8-7.
Layla North spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and four unearned) runs on 12 hits.
At the plate, Grace Joiner was excellent, scoring three runs while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances. The team also got some help courtesy of Terika Rubiero, who scored two runs while going 1-for-4.
Air Academy has traveled a rocky road recently having lost 12 of their last 13 matches, which put a noticeable dent in their 3-15 record this season. As for Liberty, they pushed their record up to 11-5 with the win, which was their seventh straight at home.
Air Academy took their victory against Liberty in their previous matchup back in September of 2023 by a conclusive 17-3. Does Air Academy have another victory up their sleeve, or will Liberty turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
