Softball Game Preview: Walton-Verona Bearcats vs. Cooper Jaguars

A feisty cat fight will be fought as Walton-Verona Bearcats duke it out with Cooper Jaguars at 5:30 p.m. on Monday. Walton-Verona will be strutting in after a win while Cooper will be coming in after a loss.

Walton-Verona's pitching crew heads into the contest hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Saturday. They put the hurt on Villa Madonna with a sharp 10-0 victory. The high-flying hitting performance was a huge turnaround for the Bearcats considering their one-run performance the game before.

Demi Lavon made a splash no matter where she played. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits over five innings pitched. She has been consistent : she hasn't given up more than two walks any time she's pitched this season. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with three RBI and one double.

In other batting news, Walton-Verona got a massive performance out of Eliza Alford, who scored three runs and stole a base while going 3-for-3. Those hits were Alford's first of the season. Ava Donato was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing two bases while going 2-for-2.

Walton-Verona was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .600. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their batting average total in four consecutive matchups.

Meanwhile, Saturday just wasn't the day for Cooper's offense. They came up short against Male on Saturday, falling 11-0. Having soared to a lofty 14 runs in the game before, the Jaguars' shutout was a dramatic turnaround.

Walton-Verona's first win this season bumped their record up to 1-4. As for Cooper, their defeat dropped their record down to 1-6.

Monday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Walton-Verona hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .357. However, it's not like Cooper struggles in that department as they've averaged .327. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.

Walton-Verona couldn't quite get it done against Cooper in their previous meeting back in May of 2018 as they fell 7-4. Will Walton-Verona have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.