Softball Game Preview: Hayden Lobos vs. Superior Panthers

Hayden is 2-8 against Superior since March of 2021 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Friday. The Lobos will square off against the Panthers at 4:00 p.m. The two teams are strolling into their contests after big wins in their previous games.

Having struggled with eight losses in a row, Hayden turned things around against San Simon on Monday. They put the hurt on the Longhorns with a sharp 28-9 victory. The Lobos not only won on Monday, but they posted their biggest win since March 15th (when they won 33-3).

Meanwhile, Superior waltzed into their game on Friday with 11 straight wins... but they left with 12. They beat the Mustangs by the very same score they won with in their prior game: 11-4. The result was nothing new for the Panthers, who have now won 15 matches by seven runs or more so far this season.

Alyna Cruz was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She pitched seven innings while giving up four earned (and five unearned) runs off ten hits. Cruz was even better at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two runs, two doubles, and one RBI.

In other batting news, Lilliana Fritz was a standout: she went 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double. That's the most hits she has posted since back in March. Kadynce Toner was another key player, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.

Superior kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 15 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.

Superior's win was their eighth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 17-6. The home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 15.8 runs over those games. As for Hayden, their record now sits at 11-14.

Hayden might still be hurting after the 20-6 defeat they got from Superior in their previous matchup back in April. Can the Lobos avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.