Softball Preview: Hastings Tigers vs. Blair Bears
Hastings is 0-5 against Blair since September of 2022 but things could change on Thursday. The Hastings Tigers will challenge the Blair Bears. Hastings' pitching crew has only allowed 3.9 runs per game this season, so Blair's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Hastings is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Nebraska's top teams: Norris, who was ranked 22nd in their home state at the time (Hastings was ranked fifth). Hastings took a 7-4 hit to the loss column at the hands of Norris on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Blair's rock-solid pitcher showed up for the team's third consecutive shutout on Monday. They beat Elkhorn North by the very same score they won with in their prior game: 8-0. Considering the Bears have won ten matchups by more than six runs this season, Monday's blowout was nothing new.
The team relied heavily on Claire Anderson, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 1-for-1. The team also got some help courtesy of Mia McClain, who scored a run while going 2-for-3.
Blair was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .435. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved they're batting average total in three consecutive contests.
Hastings' defeat ended a six-game streak of away wins dating back to last season and brought them to 15-5. As for Blair, they are on a roll lately: they've won seven of their last eight matches, which provided a nice bump to their 19-5 record this season.
Hastings might still be hurting after the 10-2 loss they got from Blair in their previous meeting last Saturday. Can Hastings avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
