Softball Game Preview: Eastern Warriors vs. Fairfield Lions

Eastern hasn't had much luck against Fairfield recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. The Warriors will face off against the Lions at 5:00 p.m. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.

Eastern had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the ten-run drubbing they dealt Clermont Northeastern on Tuesday. The Warriors put the hurt on the Rockets with a sharp 13-3 victory. Winning may never get old, but the Warriors sure are getting used to it with their sixth in a row.

Meanwhile, Fairfield entered their tilt with Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington on Tuesday with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. They blew past the Blue Jays 14-3.

Rilee Quickle was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over four innings while giving up just two earned runs off three hits. That's the most strikeouts she has posted over her last nine matches. She was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with three runs and one stolen base.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Kelsie Crowder, who fired off two home runs, four RBI, and one double while going 3-for-3. Those four RBI gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Jobey Hattan, who went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI.

Fairfield's win was their 11th straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 12-3. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.4 runs over those games. As for Eastern, their record is now 10-3.

Eastern might still be hurting after the 16-0 loss they got from Fairfield in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Can the Warriors avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.