Softball Game Preview: Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders vs. White Bear Lake Bears

The Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders will square off against the White Bear Lake Bears at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Cretin-Derham Hall 3.7, White Bear Lake 3.8) so any runs scored will be well earned.

Cretin-Derham Hall came out on top against Benilde-St. Margaret's on Saturday thanks in part to the team's impressive five-run second inning. The Raiders blew past the Red Knights 9-3. The result was nothing new for the Raiders, who have now won five contests by six runs or more so far this season.

Hannah Yaeger was incredible, going 2-for-3 with one home run. The team also got some help courtesy of Audrey Michel, who went 1-for-2 with two stolen bases, one run, and one RBI.

Meanwhile, after a string of four wins, White Bear Lake's good fortune finally ran out on Friday. They came up short against Forest Lake, falling 9-1. The game snapped a strange streak: the last five times these teams have met, it?s been the away team that?s taken home the W.

White Bear Lake's loss dropped their record down to 7-6. As for Cretin-Derham Hall, they now also have a winning record of 7-6.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Cretin-Derham Hall has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like White Bear Lake struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.

Cretin-Derham Hall skirted past White Bear Lake 3-2 when the teams last played back in April. Will the Raiders repeat their success, or do the Bears have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.