Softball Preview: Windsor Wizards vs. Fossil Ridge SaberCats
After two games on the road, Windsor is heading back home. They will host the Fossil Ridge SaberCats at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Windsor's pitching crew has only allowed 3.1 runs per game this season, so Fossil Ridge's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Windsor is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Colorado's top teams: Greeley West, who was ranked 22nd in their home state at the time (Windsor was ranked second). Windsor skirted past Greeley West 6-4. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Wizards have posted since September 8, 2023.
Jenna McGinnis was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out 16 batters over seven innings while giving up three earned (and one unearned) runs off four hits. The dominant performance also gave her a new career-high in strikeouts. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBI and a double.
In other batting news, Molli Maga?a was incredible, going 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs, and two RBI. Another player making a difference was Lilia Mancina, who went 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI.
Windsor kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 0 hits per game earlier this season, but in their last five matchups they've averaged 12.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Fossil Ridge). Everything went their way against Loveland on Thursday as Fossil Ridge made off with a 17-4 victory. The SaberCats might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won five contests by seven runs or more this season.
Like Windsor, Fossil Ridge also got a great game from a two-way player: Emily Stalcup. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing three innings while giving up no earned runs off five hits. Stalcup has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in eight consecutive pitching appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run while going 2-for-2.
In other batting news, Rylee Bullers was excellent, scoring two runs while going 2-for-2. Another player making a difference was Avery Akers, who scored a run while going 1-for-3.
Windsor's win was their sixth straight on the road dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 14-1. As for Fossil Ridge, the victory was the third in a row for them, bringing their record for this year to 7-8.
Saturday's match will be a test for both team's pitchers. Windsor hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of 0. However, it's not like Fossil Ridge struggles in that department as they've averaged 0. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Windsor beat Fossil Ridge 9-4 in their previous matchup back in August of 2023. Does Windsor have another victory up their sleeve, or will Fossil Ridge turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
