Softball Game Preview: Bluestem Lions vs. Onaga Buffaloes

The Bluestem Lions will look to take advantage of their home field for the first time this season as they take on the Onaga Buffaloes at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. Bluestem's pitching crew has only allowed four runs per game this season, so Onaga's hitters will have their work cut out for them.

On May 8th, Bluestem didn't have quite enough to beat Halstead and fell 5-4. The Lions have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.

Samiya Worrell was cooking despite her team's loss, going 2-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one double. Another player making a difference was Lilly Husman, who went 3-for-4 with one RBI.

Meanwhile, Onaga extended their postseason success on Tuesday against Valley Heights. They were the clear victors by a 12-2 margin over the Mustangs. The result was nothing new for the Buffaloes, who have now won 19 contests by six runs or more so far this season.

Willow Hochstedler was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She struck out six batters over six innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off five hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with two runs.

In other batting news, Addison DeChant was a standout: she went 2-for-4 with one home run and two RBI. Marissa Sauvage was another key player, going 2-for-4 with four RBI and one double.

Onaga kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least ten hits in three consecutive matchups.

Onaga is on a roll lately: they've won six of their last eight games. That lines up perfectly with their 21-7 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.3 runs over those games. As for Bluestem, their loss dropped their record down to 2-2.