Softball Game Preview: Eastlake Titans vs. Hilltop Lancers

Eastlake is on a three-game streak of home wins, while Hilltop is on a three-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The Titans will host the Lancers at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Eastlake will be strutting in after a win while Hilltop will be coming in after a loss.

If Eastlake beats Hilltop with five runs on Friday, it's going to be the squad's new lucky number: they've won their past two matches with that exact score. The Titans never let Steele Canyon get on the board and left with a 5-0 victory on Wednesday.

The result came thanks to Addison Suriano's shutout, as she gave up just three hits and racked up eight Ks. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in eight consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Mackenzie Olshenskie, who scored two runs while going 2-for-3.

Meanwhile, after soaring to 11 runs the game before, Hilltop was a bit more limited in their game on Wednesday. They lost 11-2 to Clairemont. The home team had taken home the W every time these teams have met since April 15, 2021, but that streak is no more.

Catherine Vasquez spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned (and nine unearned) runs on 11 hits.

Eastlake has been performing well recently as they've won nine of their last 11 contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 14-4-1 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 6.8 runs over those games. As for Hilltop, they now have a losing record of 7-8-1.

Eastlake came out on top in a nail-biter against Hilltop in their previous meeting back in April of 2024, sneaking past 3-2. Do the Titans have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Lancers turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.