Softball Preview: Cedar Ridge Fighting Red Wolves vs. Orange Panthers
Cedar Ridge is 2-8 against Orange since March of 2019 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Thursday. The Cedar Ridge Fighting Red Wolves are on the road again to play the Orange Panthers at 6:00 p.m. Cedar Ridge is strutting in with some hitting muscle, as they've averaged 10.8 runs per game this season.
Two weeks ago, Cedar Ridge came up short against Southern Alamance and fell 8-4.
Kimber Shambley made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs, and two RBI. She has been hot recently, having posted at least one home run the last three times she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Madeline Galindo-Woodring, who scored a run and stole a base while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances.
Meanwhile, Orange waltzed into their game on Tuesday with six straight wins... but they left with seven. They had just enough and edged the Patriots out 5-4.
Caden Robinson made a big impact no matter where she played. She struck out nine batters over seven innings while giving up three earned (and one unearned) runs off four hits. Robinson was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring two runs and stealing two bases while going 3-for-4.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Allie Carden, who went 3-for-3 with a home run, three RBI, and a double. Another player making a difference was Hayleigh Hammond, who scored a run while going 2-for-4.
Cedar Ridge's loss dropped their record down to 6-2. As for Orange, their victory was their third straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 7-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both teams have some strikeout artists on the roster. Cedar Ridge has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.5 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Orange struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.6. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Cedar Ridge came up short against Orange in their previous meeting back in April of 2023, falling 4-1. Can Cedar Ridge avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
