Softball Game Preview: Independence 76ers vs. Overfelt Royals

Independence is 2-8 against Overfelt since March of 2018 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Wednesday. The 76ers will host the Royals at 4:00 p.m. The teams are on pretty different trajectories at the moment (Independence has seven straight victories, Overfelt has six straight losses), but none of that matters once you're on the field.

On Monday, Independence got the win against Yerba Buena by a conclusive 22-7. The result was nothing new for the 76ers, who have now won six games by six runs or more so far this season.

Julieta Ramirez made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she pitched 1.1 innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances. She was even better at the plate, scoring four runs and stealing four bases while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances.

Joscelyn Santa Cruz

Stolen Base

04/07/25 vs Yerba Buena	1
04/04/25 @ Hill	2
04/02/25 vs Mt. Pleasant	1

In other batting news, Kayla Shem and Joscelyn Santa Cruz did most of the damage at the plate: Shem scored three runs and stole two bases while going 1-for-3, while Santa Cruz scored three runs and stole a base while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances. Santa Cruz is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as she's now snagged at least one in each of the last three games she's played. Another player making a difference was Mackenzy Sauao, who scored a run while going 2-for-3.

Independence was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .526. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .300 or higher in nine consecutive matchups.

Meanwhile, Overfelt fell victim to Gunderson and their airtight pitching crew on Friday. They lost 17-0 to the Grizzlies.

Independence's win was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 7-3. The home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 16.8 runs over those games. As for Overfelt, their defeat dropped their record down to 0-5.

Independence suffered a grim 28-19 defeat to Overfelt when the teams last played back in May of 2024. Will the 76ers have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.