Softball Game Preview: Hilltop Lancers vs. San Ysidro Cougars

The Hilltop Lancers will head out on the road to challenge the San Ysidro Cougars at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. Hilltop has given up an average of 6.9 runs per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Hilltop came up short against Sweetwater on Wednesday, falling 14-3.

Natalie Wood

Triples

04/09/25 vs Sweetwater	1
04/07/25 vs Castle Park	1
03/27/25 vs Holtville	1

Natalie Wood was cooking despite her team's loss, going 3-for-4 with one triple, one run, and one RBI. She has been hot recently, having posted at least one triple the last three times she's played. Another player making a difference was Nevaeh Matos, who went 2-for-4 with one triple and one run.

Meanwhile, there's no place like home for San Ysidro, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Saturday. They put the hurt on High Tech SD with a sharp 16-6 victory on Tuesday. The Cougars might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won six contests by eight runs or more this season.

Lizette Herrera was a standout: she scored three runs and stole a base while going 4-for-5. Ximena Ulloa was another key player, going 3-for-4 with four RBI, one triple, and one run.

San Ysidro kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 21 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.

San Ysidro's win was their fifth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 7-3. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 19.4 runs over those games. As for Hilltop, their defeat dropped their record down to 5-7-1.

Hilltop took their win against San Ysidro in their previous matchup back in May of 2024 by a conclusive 9-2 score. Will the Lancers repeat their success, or do the Cougars have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.