Softball Game Preview: Havana Ducks vs. Brown County Hornets

The Havana Ducks will venture away from home to square off against the Brown County Hornets at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Havana is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.2 runs per game this season.

Havana is probably headed into the match with a chip on their shoulder considering Illini Bluffs just ended the team's four-game winning streak on Thursday. They fell 4-1 to the Tigers.

Maddie Howerter spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered four runs (all of which were unearned) on four hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in ten consecutive appearances.

Meanwhile, Brown County came up short against Camp Point Central on Thursday, falling 15-9.

Jamie Loehr was cooking despite her team's loss, going 4-for-5 with two runs, one double, and one RBI. Lilly Ham was another key player, going 2-for-3 with four RBI.

Brown County has been struggling recently as they've lost 14 of their last 18 games. That's put a noticeable dent in their 6-19 record this season. As for Havana, their defeat dropped their record down to 16-3-1.

Brown County's pitching crew better be locked in on Friday. Havana hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 0.4 home runs per game. It's a different story for Brown County, though, as they've been averaging only 0 home runs. Will they be able to keep Havana in the park?

Everything went Havana's way against Brown County in their previous matchup back in May of 2023, as Havana made off with an 18-3 win. Do the Ducks have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Hornets turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.