Elkhorn South has won four straight games at home, while Lincoln Southwest has won four straight on the road dating back to last season, but those streaks won't matter much on Monday. The Storm will welcome the Silver Hawks at 6:30 p.m. The last three games Elkhorn South has played have been within two runs, so don't be surprised if it's a close one.
Elkhorn South is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Nebraska's top teams: Lincoln East, who was ranked 25th at the time (Elkhorn South was ranked 16th). The Storm skirted past the Spartans 3-1.
Lauren Schneider spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered a run (which was unearned) on five hits and racked up ten Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in five consecutive appearances.
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Isabelle Jackson, who went 2-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.
Elkhorn South hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. They are a perfect 13-0 when they post two or more strikeouts.
Meanwhile, Lincoln Southwest got themselves on the board against Marian on Saturday, but Marian never followed suit. They blew past the Crusaders 11-0. Considering the Silver Hawks have won 16 contests by more than five runs this season, Saturday's blowout was nothing new.
Maisey McCarty made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run over four innings pitched. McCarty was also stellar in the batter's box, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run and two RBI. That's the most hits she has posted since September 2nd.
In other batting news, Ashley Jucht was incredible, going 1-for-3 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs. Those four RBI gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Ja'Sara Wilson, who went 1-for-2 with one home run and two RBI.
Elkhorn South's win bumped their record up to 18-8. As for Lincoln Southwest, their victory bumped their record up to 23-2.
Monday's matchup might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Elkhorn South has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .449. However, it's not like Lincoln Southwest struggles in that department as they've averaged .468. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Elkhorn South came up short against Lincoln Southwest in their previous meeting back in September of 2024, falling 8-4. Will the Storm have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more softball content.
