Softball Recap: Big Foot Takes a Loss

Big Foot dropped their record down to 12-8 on Tuesday, which also ended the team's three-game streak of wins at home. They lost 10-4 to the Brodhead Cardinals. Unfortunately, that's the second time they've come up short against the Cardinals this season, as they also lost their prior matchup 3-0 back in April.

Lily Wolf and Claire Patek stepped up to the plate in a big way. Wolf went 1-for-3 with one home run, while Patek went 1-for-3 with one home run and two RBI.

As for Brodhead, they have been performing incredibly well recently as they've won 12 of their last 14 matches. That's provided a nice bump to their 15-4 record this season. They might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won eight contests by six runs or more this season.

On Brodhead's side, Ava Risum made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out 16 batters over seven innings while giving up four earned runs off three hits (and not a single walk). Risum has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 16 consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with three runs and one double.

In other batting news, Keegan Steinke and Mady Henning did most of the damage at the plate: Steinke went 3-for-4 with one run and one double, while Henning went 2-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI. That's the most hits Steinke has posted since back in May of 2024. Another player making a difference was Leah Rear, who got on base in four of her five plate appearances with one stolen base and one run.

Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Big Foot will challenge Turner at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. The Trojans will roll in looking for their 16th straight win, something the Chiefs surely won't give up without a fight. As for Brodhead, they will face off against Evansville at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday.