Softball Game Preview: Poston Butte Broncos vs. Eastmark Firebirds

For the second straight game, Poston Butte will face off against Eastmark. The Broncos will head out on the road to take on the Firebirds at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday. Poston Butte is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 11.8 runs per game this season.

Things were looking good for Poston Butte after they put the first run on the board on Monday, but unfortunately for them things went downhill from there. They lost 16-7 to Eastmark. The defeat continues a trend for the Broncos in their meetings with the Firebirds: they've now lost five in a row.

For Eastmark's part, Andrea Fletcher made a splash while hitting and pitching. She struck out 14 batters over seven innings while giving up four earned (and three unearned) runs off eight hits. Fletcher has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in five consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one home run and one double. That home run was her first of the season.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Bella Gomez, who went 4-for-5 with four runs, two triples, and three RBI. Those two triples gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Mia Migliaccio, who went 3-for-4 with two runs, one double, and one RBI.

Eastmark was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .432. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Poston Butte only posted a batting average of .290.

Eastmark is on a roll lately: they've won nine of their last ten matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 17-7 record this season. The victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.4 runs on average over those games. As for Poston Butte, their loss was their first in the region, dropping their region record down to 7-1 and their overall record down to 16-9.

Wednesday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Poston Butte hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .413. However, it's not like Eastmark struggles in that department as they've averaged .379. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other softball content.