Softball Game Preview: San Tan Foothills Sabercats vs. Payson Longhorns

The San Tan Foothills Sabercats will square off against the Payson Longhorns at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday. San Tan Foothills has given up an average of 18 runs per game this season, so hopefully the team got some pitching drills in this week.

San Tan Foothills lost 19-4 to Ray last Tuesday. The Sabercats have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.

Meanwhile, Payson had already won two in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 13.5 runs) and they went ahead and made it three on Tuesday. Everything went their way against the Tigers as they made off with a 17-7 win. Considering the Longhorns have won three matches by more than nine runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.

Kinikki Smith spent all six innings played on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and six unearned) runs on seven hits. That's the fewest earned runs she has allowed since back in April of 2024.

On the hitting side, Holdyn Waterman and Breezey Morgan did most of the damage at the plate: Waterman went 2-for-3 with two triples, two runs, and two RBI, while Morgan scored three runs and stole Three bases. while getting on base in three of her five plate appearances. Those two triples gave Waterman a new career-high. Kassidy Cline was another key player, scoring three runs and stealing Three bases. while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances.

They weren't the only ones working in the hit department: Payson kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Globe only managed seven hits.

Payson's victory bumped their record up to 4-1. As for San Tan Foothills, their loss dropped their record down to 1-6.

San Tan Foothills suffered a grim 16-0 defeat to Payson in their previous meeting back in March of 2015. Will San Tan Foothills have more luck at home instead of on the road? Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other softball content.