Softball Game Preview: Emerson Mavericks vs. Independence Knights

The Emerson Mavericks will head out to take on the Independence Knights at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, the two teams will really light up the scoreboard.

Emerson's pitching crew heads into the match hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Tuesday. Everything went their way against Frisco as Emerson made off with a 10-0 win. The Mavericks might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won four games by nine runs or more this season.

Addison Hudnall made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run over five innings pitched. What's more, she gave up only zero earned runs, the fewest she's had since back in April of 2024. She was also big at the plate, scoring two runs while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances. That's the most runs she has posted since back in April of 2024.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Amilee Stapp, who scored three runs and stole Two bases. while going 2-for-3. That's the most hits she has posted since back in April of 2024. Savannah Carleton was another key player, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-3.

Emerson always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .514. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Frisco only posted an OBP of .211.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Independence). They were the clear victor by a 17-0 margin over Heritage on Monday. The team's explosion at the plate also rewarded the Knights with their most commanding win of the season.

The victory made it two in a row for Independence and bumps their season record up to 4-4. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 0.0 runs on average over those games. As for Emerson, their record is now 6-2.

Everything went Emerson's way against Independence in their previous meeting back in April of 2024, as Emerson made off with a 13-3 win. The rematch might be a little tougher for Emerson since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.