Softball Preview: Heritage Patriots vs. Whitko Wildcats
The Heritage Patriots will be playing in front of their home fans against the Whitko Wildcats at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Heritage is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.1 runs per game this season.
Heritage is hoping to deliver their fans another blowout on Saturday, just like they did against Bluffton (and have done all season long). Heritage never let Bluffton onto the board and left with a 10-0 victory on Wednesday. The win was nothing new for Heritage as they're now sitting on three straight.
Danica Fuller was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She didn't allow a single earned run and only one hit while striking out 12 over five innings pitched. Fuller has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive pitching appearances. Fuller was also big at the plate, scoring two runs and stealing four bases while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Grace Guenthner, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. Another player making a difference was Lucy Buuck, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 1-for-2.
Meanwhile, it was a hard-fought contest, but Whitko had to settle for a 4-3 loss against Wabash on Wednesday.
Like Heritage, Whitko also got a great game from a two-way player: Cassidy Skinner. On the mound, she struck out 21 batters over 11 innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off eight hits. Skinner was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing three bases while going 2-for-5.
In other batting news, Hope Bradley was cooking despite her team's loss, getting on base in all five of her plate appearances with a stolen base and an RBI. Kaylee Adkins was another key contributor, scoring a run while going 2-for-5.
Even though they lost, Whitko didn't let batters stay on the plate for long and finished the game with 21 strikeouts. That's the most strikeouts they've managed all season.
The victory got Heritage back to even at 7-7. As for Whitko, their defeat dropped their record down to 6-11.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Saturday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Heritage has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Whitko struggles in that department as they've been averaging 10.5. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Heritage skirted past Whitko 3-2 in their previous meeting back in May of 2022. Will Heritage repeat their success, or does Whitko have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
