Softball Game Preview: Northside Mustangs vs. Niles North Vikings

Northside hasn't had much luck against Niles North recently, but that could start to change on Monday. The Mustangs will be playing in front of their home fans against the Vikings at 4:30 p.m. Northside has given up an average of 8.6 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Northside is coming in off a wild two-game stretch: after soaring to 13 runs on Tuesday, they were much more limited against Saint Ignatius College Prep on Thursday. They lost 13-2 to the Wolfpack.

Northside saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Payton Phoxay, who went 1-for-2 with one double. Jayda Rodriguez also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.

Meanwhile, Niles North fell victim to Maine West and their airtight pitching crew on Thursday. They took a 4-0 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Warriors. The loss continues a trend for the Vikings in their meetings with the Warriors: they've now lost nine in a row.

Northside's defeat dropped their record down to 5-15. As for Niles North, their loss dropped their record down to 12-10.

Northside might still be hurting after the 12-0 defeat they got from Niles North in their previous matchup back in April of 2023. Can the Mustangs avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.