Softball Game Preview: Sandy Valley Sidewinders vs. Indian Springs Thunderbirds

Sandy Valley hasn't had much luck against Indian Springs recently, but that could start to change on Friday. The Sidewinders will take on the Thunderbirds at 1:00 p.m. Sandy Valley has given up an average of 20.4 runs per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Sandy Valley is headed into Friday's matchup looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their 19th straight game dating back to last season on Tuesday. They lost 18-0 to Awaken Christian.

Meanwhile, Indian Springs got the win against Beaver Dam on Friday by a conclusive 16-2. That looming 16-2 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Thunderbirds yet this season.

Shayne Dedmon made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she pitched three innings while giving up just two earned runs off two hits. Dedmon was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-2. She has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last four times she's played.

In other batting news, Jadyn Guerino was a standout: she scored three runs and stole seven bases while getting on base in all three of her plate appearances. She is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as she's now snagged two or more in each of the last four games she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Juliana Torneskog, who got on base in all three of her plate appearances with five stolen bases, two runs, and one triple.

Indian Springs always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .846. The last time their OBP was this high was back in April of 2024.

The win made it two in a row for Indian Springs and bumps their season record up to 4-8. The victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 18.5 runs over those games. As for Sandy Valley, their loss dropped their record down to 0-7.

Sandy Valley suffered a grim 20-0 defeat to Indian Springs in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Can the Sidewinders avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.