Softball Game Preview: Mishawaka Marian Knights vs. New Prairie Cougars

For the second straight game, Mishawaka Marian will face off against New Prairie. The Knights will venture away from home to take on the Cougars at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Mishawaka Marian has given up an average of 10.5 runs per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Tuesday just wasn't the day for Mishawaka Marian's offense. They lost 15-0 to New Prairie on Tuesday. The Knights haven't had much luck with the Cougars recently, as the team has come up short the last seven times they've met.

For New Prairie's part, Ava Geyer made a big impact no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out eight batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and not a single walk). Geyer has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in 11 consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going 1-for-4 with one home run and four RBI. That's the most RBI she has posted over her last 13 matchups.

In other batting news, Ella Chelminiak and Abby Harmon did most of the damage at the plate: Chelminiak went a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI, two runs, and one double, while Harmon went a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs, two RBI, and one double. Randi Robakowski was another key player, going 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.

New Prairie was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .542. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their batting average total in three consecutive games.

New Prairie has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won nine of their last ten contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 16-5 record this season. The victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.4 runs on average over those games. As for Mishawaka Marian, their loss dropped their record down to 4-11.