Softball Game Preview: Austin Eagles vs. Springs Valley Blackhawks

The Austin Eagles will square off against the Springs Valley Blackhawks at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Austin has given up an average of 13.1 runs per game this season, but Wednesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Monday just wasn't the day for Austin's offense. They came up short against Silver Creek on Monday, falling 21-0. The Eagles have struggled against the Dragons recently, as the game was their seventh consecutive lost meeting.

Meanwhile, Springs Valley had to endure a three-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. They skirted past Loogootee 5-3.

Lily Hickman spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and two unearned) runs on five hits and racked up 12 Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts in seven consecutive appearances.

At the plate, Springs Valley let Lola Kovas and Marissa Marshall run wild. Kovas went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases, one run, and one RBI, while Marshall went 1-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one double. Those two stolen bases gave Kovas a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Elliott Wininger, who went 1-for-2 with one run and one double.

Springs Valley hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Loogootee struck out 12 times.

Austin's defeat dropped their record down to 2-5. As for Springs Valley, they now have a winning record of 5-4.

Austin suffered a grim 17-2 defeat to Springs Valley in their previous matchup back in April of 2023. Can the Eagles avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.