Softball Game Preview: Apollo Hawks vs. Boulder Creek Jaguars

The Apollo Hawks will face off against the Boulder Creek Jaguars at 4:00 p.m. on Monday. Apollo has given up an average of 16.1 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Apollo is headed into Monday's matchup looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their third straight game on Thursday. They came up short against West Point, falling 24-1.

Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Boulder Creek, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Tuesday. They walked away with a 6-2 win over Pinnacle on Thursday.

Kinsey Wilcox spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned runs on five hits.

At the plate, McKayla Chapman was excellent, scoring two runs and stealing three bases while going 2-for-3. Those three stolen bases gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Naomi Gregory, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBI.

Boulder Creek was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .400. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Pinnacle only posted a batting average of .200.

Boulder Creek is on a roll lately: they've won ten of their last 12 contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 13-3 record this season. The victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.5 runs on average over those games. Apollo's loss dropped their record down to 2-7.

Monday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Apollo hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .331. However, it's not like Boulder Creek struggles in that department as they've averaged .398. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.

Apollo might still be hurting after the 7-1 defeat they got from Boulder Creek in their previous matchup back in March of 2015. Can Apollo avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.