Softball Game Preview: Kathleen Red Devils vs. Santa Fe Catholic Hawks

Kathleen is on a seven-game streak of home losses dating back to last season, and Santa Fe Catholic a three-game streak of away losses. However, someone's due for a change in luck on Monday. The Kathleen Red Devils will welcome the Santa Fe Catholic Hawks at 5:00 p.m. Kathleen has given up an average of 24.1 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Discovery hit Kathleen with a seven-run fifth inning on Thursday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Red Devils lost 14-4 to the Spartans.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Santa Fe Catholic). Their pitcher stepped up to hand Lakeland an 18-0 shutout on Friday. The Hawks might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won six matchups by six runs or more this season.

Claire McGee made a big impact no matter where she played. She struck out eight batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit (and not a single walk). She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 11 consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, getting on base in two of her three plate appearances with two runs and one RBI.

In other batting news, Santa Fe Catholic got a big performance out of Patty Rodriguez, who got on base in all three of her plate appearances with two runs and two RBI. Those two RBI gave Rodriguez a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Kindra Kelch, who got on base in all three of her plate appearances with two runs and two RBI.

Santa Fe Catholic always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .889. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Santa Fe Catholic has been performing well recently as they've won three of their last four contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 8-5 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.0 runs on average over those games. As for Kathleen, their defeat dropped their record down to 0-8.

Kathleen might still be hurting after the 15-0 loss they got from Santa Fe Catholic in their previous matchup back in March. Will the Red Devils have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.