Softball Preview: Hazleton Area Cougars vs. Crestwood Comets
Hazleton Area is on a five-game streak of home losses, Crestwood a three-game streak of away losses, but someone's luck is about to change. The Hazleton Area Cougars will take on the Crestwood Comets at 4:15 p.m. on Friday. Hazleton Area is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7 runs per game this season.
Hazleton Area gave up the first runs last Wednesday, but they didn't let that get them down. They had just enough and edged Wyoming Valley West out 6-5.
Isabella Almeida spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned (and three unearned) runs on ten hits.
At the plate, Olivia Williams was incredible, going 4-for-4 with two runs and a triple. Another player making a difference was Marissa Hoffman, who went 1-for-3 with a triple, a run, and an RBI.
Crestwood lost 9-2 to Tunkhannock on Thursday.
Crestwood saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Madison Mendrzycki, who went 1-for-2 with an RBI.
Hazleton Area's victory bumped their record up to 6-8. As for Crestwood, their loss dropped their record down to 5-10.
Crestwood's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Hazleton Area has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9.5 hits per game. It's a different story for Crestwood, though, as they've been averaging 11.5. Given Hazleton Area's sizable advantage in that area, Crestwood will need to find a way to close that gap.
Hazleton Area took their win against Crestwood in their previous meeting back in April by a conclusive 14-3. Does Hazleton Area have another victory up their sleeve, or will Crestwood turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
