Softball Game Preview: Soquel Knights vs. Aptos Mariners

The Soquel Knights will head out on the road to challenge the Aptos Mariners at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Soquel has given up an average of 9.2 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Soquel lost 15-9 to San Lorenzo Valley on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Aptos hadn't done well against San Lorenzo Valley recently (they were 2-7 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Thursday. The Mariners were the clear victors by a 9-2 margin over the Cougars. Considering the Mariners have won six matches by more than five runs this season, Thursday's blowout was nothing new.

Mya Najera-White spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned runs on five hits and racked up six Ks.

On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Emma Burgueno, who went 2-for-4 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. The team also got some help courtesy of Bailey Fulton, who went 1-for-3 with two runs and one stolen base.

Aptos is on a roll lately: they've won five of their last six contests. That's provided a massive bump to their 8-5 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.7 runs over those games. As for Soquel, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-4.

Soquel suffered a grim 14-8 defeat to Aptos in their previous meeting back in March. Can the Knights avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.