Softball Game Preview: Santa Ana Saints vs. Big Bear Bears

The Santa Ana Saints will head out to square off against the Big Bear Bears at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.

Santa Ana took a 16-run loss the last time they faced off against Costa Mesa, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Saints skirted past the Mustangs 10-8.

Big Bear came out on top against Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy on Thursday thanks in part to the team's impressive 11-run fifth inning. The Bears put the hurt on Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy with a sharp 14-4 victory. The result was nothing new for the Bears, who have now won five games by nine runs or more so far this season.

Abigail Hendricks made a big impact no matter where she played. On the mound, she didn't allow a single hit and allowed only one earned run while striking out nine over five innings pitched. Hendricks was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI.

In other batting news, Jorden Acosta was incredible, going 3-for-4 with one home run, four runs, and three RBI. The dominant performance also gave her a new career-high in doubles (two). Layla Navarette was another key player, going 2-for-3 with one triple, one stolen base, and one run.

Big Bear was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .400. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy only posted a batting average of .118.

The win made it two in a row for Big Bear and bumps their season record up to 8-7. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 13.5 runs over those games. As for Santa Ana, they have been performing well recently as they've won nine of their last 11 matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 14-3-1 record this season.