Softball Game Preview: Central A & M Raiders vs. Tri-City Tornadoes

The Central A & M Raiders will head out to square off against the Tri-City Tornadoes at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Central A & M is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.6 runs per game this season.

Central A & M let Clinton stack five runs on them in the fourth inning on Tuesday but luckily Central A & M prevailed anyway. The Raiders skirted past the Maroons 9-7. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Raiders have posted against the Maroons since April 22, 2022.

Gwyn Hardimon

Batters Struck Out

05/06/25 @ Clinton	8
05/02/25 @ Shelbyville	10
04/28/25 @ Lincolnwood	10
04/25/25 vs Warrensburg-Latham	7
04/23/25 @ Meridian	7
+ 2 more games

Gwyn Hardimon was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over seven innings while giving up six earned runs off five hits. She has been consistent: she hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts in seven consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with two runs.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Sophie Roe, who went 2-for-5 with two stolen bases, one triple, and two RBI. She is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as she's now snagged at least one in each of the last four games she's played. Olivia Kerby was another key player, going 2-for-4 with four RBI and two runs.

Central A & M kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 14 hits. They are 9-3 when they post 11 or more hits.

Meanwhile, Tri-City has relied on a stalwart pitchers averaging 2.5 runs allowed per game, but that average took a hit on Saturday. They came up short against Teutopolis, falling 10-2. The Tornadoes just can't catch a break and have now endured three defeats in a row.

The win made it two in a row for Central A & M and bumps their season record up to 12-13. They've had to fight for that success though, as they only beat their opponents by an average of 1.5 runs across that stretch. As for Tri-City, their loss dropped their record down to 6-5-1.