Softball Game Preview: Cactus Shadows Falcons vs. Willow Canyon Wildcats

The Cactus Shadows Falcons will take on the Willow Canyon Wildcats in a tournament on Thursday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty run totals in their previous games.

Cactus Shadows took a loss when they played away from home two weeks ago, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed last Tuesday. They put the hurt on Thunderbird with a sharp 12-1 win. That looming 12-1 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Falcons yet this season.

Molly Brown looked comfortable as she struck out 11 batters over four innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits (and not a single walk). She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks any time she's pitched this season.

On the hitting side, Bailey Fitzmaurice was a standout: she went 1-for-2 with one home run and four RBI. Madi Handke also deserves some recognition as she hit her first triple of the season.

Cactus Shadows was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .381. They are 2-1 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.

Meanwhile, it was a proper cat-fight when Willow Canyon duked it out with Paradise Honors on Wednesday. Willow Canyon was the clear victors by a 13-4 margin over Paradise Honors. The result was nothing new for the Wildcats, who have now won three matches by eight runs or more so far this season.

The team relied heavily on Izzy Ray, who went 3-for-4 with three runs, three RBI, and one triple. That's the most runs she has posted since back in April of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Caylee Walding, who scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in three of her five plate appearances.

Cactus Shadows' victory was their sixth straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 3-4. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.2 runs over those games. As for Willow Canyon, they now have a winning record of 5-4-1.

Cactus Shadows came up short against Willow Canyon when the teams last played back in February of 2024, falling 10-7. Can Cactus Shadows avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.