Softball Game Preview: Charlottesville Black Knights vs. Monticello Mustangs

Charlottesville hasn't had much luck against Monticello recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. The Black Knights will venture away from home to square off against the Mustangs at 5:30 p.m. Charlottesville has given up an average of 18.3 runs per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Charlottesville is headed into Thursday's matchup looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their eighth straight game on Tuesday. They lost 19-2 to Goochland. Having soared to a lofty 15 runs in the game before, the Black Knights couldn't push the score so high this time.

Charlottesville saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Ayden Johnson, who went 1-for-3 with one triple and one run. That triple was Johnson's first of the season.

The scorekeeper got an easy start on Tuesday as neither Monticello nor Louisa County made it on the board until the tenth inning. The Mustangs won by a run and slipped past the Lions 3-2. The win was nothing new for the Mustangs as they're now sitting on three straight.

Madison Steppe spent all ten innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned run on five hits and racked up 19 Ks. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 11 consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Willow Barr, who went 2-for-5 with one home run and two RBI.

Monticello's record now sits at 11-3. As for Charlottesville, their defeat dropped their record down to 1-12.

Monticello's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Charlottesville has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .433. It's a different story for Monticello, though, as they've only averaged .355. Will they be able to contain Charlottesville's hitters?

Charlottesville suffered a grim 15-2 defeat to Monticello in their previous matchup back in May of 2024. Can the Black Knights avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.