Softball Game Preview: Poston Butte Broncos vs. ALA - Queen Creek Patriots

For the second straight game, Poston Butte will face off against ALA - Queen Creek. The Broncos will host the Patriots at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Poston Butte is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 12 runs per game this season.

On Tuesday, Poston Butte needed a bit of extra time to put away ALA - Queen Creek. They came out on top in a nail-biter against the Patriots, sneaking past 10-8. The Broncos haven't had any issues with the Patriots recently, as the game was their fourth consecutive victory against them.

Haylee Lopez

Base on Balls Against

04/15/25 @ ALA - Queen Creek	1
04/10/25 @ Crismon	2
04/08/25 vs Crismon	2
04/07/25 @ Bradshaw Mountain	2

Haylee Lopez was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out six batters over eight innings while giving up just one earned (and seven unearned) runs off six hits (and only one walk). She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, scoring three runs and stealing two bases while going 3-for-5.

In other batting news, Kimberly Westover and Chloe Morgan did most of the damage at the plate: Westover went 3-for-4 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs, while Morgan went 4-for-5 with one home run, two runs, and one double. That home run was Morgan's first of the season. Brylee Litviak was another key player, scoring a run while going 2-for-3.

Poston Butte kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. They are 14-1 when they post 11 or more hits.

This is the second loss in a row for ALA - Queen Creek and nudges their season record down to 11-13. As for Poston Butte, their win bumped their record up to 15-8.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Poston Butte has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like ALA - Queen Creek struggles in that department as they've been averaging 6.7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one. Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other softball content.