Softball Recap: Payson Makes It Five in a Row on the Road

Longhorns

Margin (Wins)

03/17/25 @ ALA - Ironwood	22
03/19/25 @ San Tan Foothills	18
03/25/25 @ Benjamin Franklin	15
02/26/25 @ Highland Prep	15
03/18/25 vs Globe	10

Payson was not the first on the board on Tuesday, but they got there more often. They put the hurt on the Benjamin Franklin Chargers with a sharp 16-1 win. Considering the Longhorns have won five matches by more than nine runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.

Kinikki Smith was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run while striking out eight over 4.2 innings pitched. What's more, she gave up only zero earned runs, the fewest she's had since back in February of 2024. She was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing two bases while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances. That run marked the first that she scored this season.

In other batting news, Breezey Morgan was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing a base while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances. 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. Alayna Dewald was another key player, scoring a run while going 3-for-4.

Payson pushed their record up to 6-2 with the victory, which was their fifth straight on the road. Those wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 18.4 runs over those games. As for Benjamin Franklin, their loss dropped their record down to 3-6.

We've got plenty of inter-region action coming up soon. Payson is set to face off against their familiar foe Northwest Christian at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Meanwhile, Benjamin Franklin will take on rival San Tan Foothills at 3:45 p.m. on Thursday.