Willamette is 0-10 against South Medford since April of 2017 but things could change on Monday. The Wolverines will look to defend their home field against the Panthers at 4:00 p.m. Willamette is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7 runs per game this season.
Willamette blew South Eugene out of the water the last time the pair played, but on Saturday South Eugene got their revenge. The Wolverines fell just short of the Axe by a score of 10-8. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest loss the Wolverines have suffered since April 12, 2024.
Cabbi Eads made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 3-for-4 with one home run, four RBI, and one double. That home run marked the first that she has launched this season. Delaney Smith was another key player, going 2-for-3 with three runs and one triple.
Meanwhile, South Medford hadn't done well against Sheldon recently (they were 2-7 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Saturday. The Panthers came out on top against the Irish by a score of 9-6. Give some credit to the fans of both teams: the last three times they've met, the home team has come away the winner.
Jordan Knutson made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out 12 batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned (and five unearned) runs off six hits. Knutson was also big at the plate, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with one RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Aubree Joe, who went 3-for-4 with three RBI and one double. Those three hits gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Dannika Ostvik, who went 1-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double.
South Medford was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .393. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Sheldon only posted a batting average of .233.
South Medford's victory bumped their record up to 11-7. As for Willamette, their defeat dropped their record down to 8-10.
Willamette's speedy runners might be the difference in Monday's game. The Wolverines have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.2 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for South Medford, though, as they've been averaging only 1.1 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Willamette continue to outrun the ball?
Willamette suffered a grim 10-0 defeat to South Medford in their previous matchup back in May of 2024. Can the Wolverines avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
