Softball Game Preview: Orangefield Bobcats vs. Van Vleck Leopards

The Orangefield Bobcats will venture away from home to take on the Van Vleck Leopards at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Orangefield is coming into the match hot, having won their last 21 games.

Orangefield is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Saturday. They had just enough and edged out Pollok Central 2-1. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Bobcats have posted since March 1st.

Meanwhile, Van Vleck got themselves on the board against Trinity on Friday, but Trinity never followed suit. They were the clear victors by a 7-0 margin over the Tigers. Considering the Leopards have won 14 games by more than five runs this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.

Not much got past Lakyn Matchett, who gave up just three hits and racked up 12 Ks to keep Trinity off the board. Matchett has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Aamry Gutierrez, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with three RBI, two runs, and one triple. Nicole Ryman was another key player, going 2-for-3 with three runs and one double.

Van Vleck hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. The team has now struck out at least four batters in three consecutive contests.

Van Vleck has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won seven of their last eight matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 17-5-2 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 12.3 runs over those games. As for Orangefield, their record is now 31-4.