Softball Game Preview: Thatcher Eagles vs. Sabino Sabercats

Thatcher hasn't had much luck against Sabino recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. The Eagles will be playing at home against the Sabercats at 3:45 p.m. The two teams each escaped (but just barely!) with wins against their previous opponents.

Thatcher took a ten-run defeat the last time they faced off against Douglas, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Eagles skirted past the Bulldogs 3-1. The victory was some much needed relief for the Eagles as it spelled an end to their five-game losing streak.

Meanwhile, Sabino owes their pitching crew a big pat on the back after their performance on Tuesday. They narrowly escaped with a win as the squad sidled past Tanque Verde 1-0.

The result came thanks to Avery Nielson's shutout, as she gave up just three hits and racked up 17 Ks. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than 11 strikeouts in four consecutive appearances.

At the plate, Mia Acosta was excellent, going 1-for-3 with one home run.

Sabino is on a roll lately: they've won nine of their last 11 matches. That's provided a nice bump to their 12-11 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.1 runs over those games. As for Thatcher, their win bumped their record up to 10-12.

Thatcher came up short against Sabino in their previous meeting back in March of 2024, falling 7-4. Will the Eagles have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more softball content.