Softball Game Preview: La Salle Academy Rams vs. Smithfield Sentinels

La Salle Academy has gone a perfect 10-0 against Smithfield recently and they'll look to pad the win column further on Tuesday. The Rams will be playing at home against the Sentinels at 4:30 p.m. La Salle Academy is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7 runs per game this season.

La Salle Academy is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another highly-ranked state team: Taunton, who was ranked first in their home state at the time (La Salle Academy was ranked first). The Rams fell 7-4 to the Tigers on Saturday. The loss was the Rams' first of the season.

Hailey Vigneau

Base on Balls Against

05/17/25 vs Taunton	1
05/15/25 vs Pilgrim	1
05/12/25 vs Coventry	2
05/08/25 @ Chariho	1
05/04/25 vs Silver Lake Regional	1
+ 2 more games

Hailey Vigneau spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and four unearned) runs on nine hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, Phoenyx Silva was cooking despite her team's loss, going 1-for-4 with one home run and two runs. She has been hot, having posted at least one home run the last five times she's played. Elle Kershaw also deserves some recognition as she hit her first triple of the season.

Meanwhile, Monday just wasn't the day for Smithfield's offense. They fell just short of Prout by a score of 1-0 on Monday. The defeat continues a trend for the Sentinels in their meetings with the Crusaders: they've now lost four in a row.

Smithfield also let their pitcher toss all seven innings and she was also dialed-in: Crystal Cacador gave up only one earned run on four hits and racked up eight Ks.

Having lost for the first time this season, La Salle Academy fell to 19-1. As for Smithfield, their loss dropped their record down to 11-6.

Tuesday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. La Salle Academy hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .363. However, it's not like Smithfield struggles in that department as they've averaged .339. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.

La Salle Academy skirted past Smithfield 3-1 when the teams last played back in April. Do the Rams have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Sentinels turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.