Softball Game Preview: Midland Timberwolves vs. Deer Creek-Mackinaw Chiefs

The Midland Timberwolves are taking a road trip to square off against the Deer Creek-Mackinaw Chiefs at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Midland is coming into the matchup on a six-game losing streak.

Midland came into this matchup off a tough 11-run defeat on Tuesday. This time they kept things ultra-competitive, but unfortunately the final result was the same. They fell just short of Putnam County by a score of 9-7 on Thursday.

Emma Franks was cooking despite her team's loss, going 2-for-4 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base. She is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as she's now snagged at least one in each of the last three games she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Maggie Dorsey, who scored two runs and stole two bases while going 2-for-4.

Meanwhile, Deer Creek-Mackinaw came up short against Illini Bluffs on Thursday and fell 5-2. The loss continues a trend for the Chiefs in their meetings with the Tigers: they've now lost six in a row.

Mackenzie Knowles put in work no matter where she played. On the mound, she pitched seven innings while giving up three earned (and two unearned) runs off six hits. Knowles was also big at the plate, going 1-for-4 with one home run.

Midland's record is now 2-7. As for Deer Creek-Mackinaw, their record now sits at 1-3.

Midland suffered a grim 17-2 defeat to Deer Creek-Mackinaw in their previous matchup back in March of 2024. Can the Timberwolves avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.