Softball Game Preview: McKinley Bulldogs vs. Strongsville Mustangs

The McKinley Bulldogs will square off against the Strongsville Mustangs at 5:00 p.m. on Monday. McKinley will aim to continue their three-game streak of scoring more runs each matchup than the last.

McKinley is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They blew past Garfield 23-1 on Tuesday. The win was a breath of fresh air for the Bulldogs as it put an end to their eight-game losing streak.

Hailey Smith

Hits (Career)

05/13/25 vs Garfield	4
04/03/25 vs East	3
04/19/25 vs Canton South	2
04/16/25 @ Jackson	2
04/10/25 vs Firestone	2

Hailey Smith made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Smith was also stellar in the batter's box, firing off six RBI, four runs, and two triples while going 4-for-4. Those four hits gave her a new career-high.

In other batting news, Violet Hanlin was a standout: she went a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI. That's the most stolen bases she has posted since back in April. Kylee Delgado was another key player, going 1-for-3 with four runs, one triple, and one stolen base.

McKinley always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .700. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Strongsville, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Tuesday. They had just enough and edged out Avon 4-3 on Thursday. The victory was some much needed relief for the Mustangs as it spelled an end to their four-game losing streak.

Addison Heidenhoffer spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned (and one unearned) runs on eight hits and racked up nine Ks. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than one walk in four consecutive appearances.

Strongsville's win bumped their record up to 8-13. As for McKinley, their victory bumped their record up to 8-17.