Softball Game Preview: Needham Rockets vs. Milton Wildcats

Needham is on a six-game streak of home wins (dating back to last season), while Milton is on a four-game streak of away wins (also dating back to last season): one of those streaks is about to end. The Rockets will host the Wildcats at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.

On Monday, Needham made easy work of Natick and carried off a 15-3 win.

Kaitlyn Cheng made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run over five innings pitched. Cheng was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with two runs and one double.

In other batting news, Bailey O'Hearn and Maddie Navales did most of the damage at the plate: O'Hearn went a perfect 1-for-1 with three RBI, two runs, and one double, while Navales went 2-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and one triple. That triple marked the first that Navales has hit this season. Katie Murray was another key player, going a perfect 1-for-1 with one home run and two RBI.

Needham always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .645. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Meanwhile, Milton got the win against Framingham on Monday by a conclusive 14-4.

Milton's victory bumped their record up to 6-2. As for Needham, their win bumped their record up to 9-2.

Everything went Needham's way against Milton in their previous meeting back in April, as Needham made off with a 17-4 victory. Will the Rockets repeat their success, or do the Wildcats have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.