Softball Game Preview: Wood Memorial Trojans vs. Springs Valley Blackhawks

The Wood Memorial Trojans will be defending their home field for the first time this season when they go up against the Springs Valley Blackhawks at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Wood Memorial is headed into their home opener looking to turn things around after starting their season on the road. They fell just short of Princeton by a score of 5-4 on Monday. The defeat continues a trend for the Trojans in their meetings with the Tigers: they've now lost four in a row.

Meanwhile, Springs Valley hadn't done well against Perry Central recently (they were 2-7 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Monday. The Blackhawks narrowly escaped with a win as the team sidled past the Commodores 3-1. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Blackhawks have posted since April 15, 2024.

Lily Hickman was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She struck out 13 batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits (and not a single walk). Hickman was also big at the plate, going 1-for-2 with two stolen bases. She has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last three times she's played.

Hickman wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Kenna McNeely, who scored a run while going 1-for-3.

Wood Memorial was able to grind out a solid win over Springs Valley in their previous meeting back in May of 2021, winning 10-7. Do the Trojans have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Blackhawks turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.