Softball Game Preview: Apache Junction Prospectors vs. Coolidge Bears

The Apache Junction Prospectors will head out on the road to face off against the Coolidge Bears at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Apache Junction has a tough task ahead: they'll enter the contest with nine straight defeats, while Coolidge will come in with four straight victories.

Apache Junction lost 20-1 to Globe on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Coolidge's hitters rose to the challenge against a Sentinels pitching crew that boasted an average of only 3.43 runs allowed on Thursday. The Bears came out on top against Seton Catholic by a score of 10-5.

Autumn Hoover spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and two unearned) runs on eight hits and racked up seven Ks. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in four consecutive appearances.

At the plate, Coolidge got a massive performance out of Destiny Joaquin, who went 3-for-4 with three RBI, one triple, and one run. The team also got some help courtesy of Brianna Villanueva, who scored a run and stole two bases while going 2-for-2.

Coolidge was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .471. The last time their batting average was this high was back in April of 2024.

Coolidge's record now sits at 7-4. As for Apache Junction, their loss dropped their record down to 0-9.

Apache Junction suffered a grim 21-2 defeat to Coolidge in their previous matchup back in March. Can the Prospectors avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.