Softball Game Preview: Lemoore Tigers vs. Monache Marauders

The Lemoore Tigers will challenge the Monache Marauders at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, the two teams will really light up the scoreboard.

Having struggled with seven losses in a row, Lemoore turned things around against El Diamante on Thursday. They came out on top against the Miners by a score of 14-11. The Tigers' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.

Meanwhile, Monache had already won three in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 3.3 runs) and they went ahead and made it four on Saturday. They never let the Wildcats get on the board and left with a 12-0 victory. That 12 run margin sets a new team best for the Marauders this season.

Monache got a great performance from Sophia Martinez as she kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out seven over five innings pitched. Martinez has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than one walk any time she's pitched this season.

At the plate, Amiee Rivas was incredible, going 2-for-4 with two triples, two runs, and two RBI. Those two triples gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Mckinly Meister, who scored a run while going 2-for-2.

Monache hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their strikeout total in three consecutive matches.

Monache's win was their eighth straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 6-2-1. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 8.3 runs over those games. As for Lemoore, the win was their first on the road , bumping their record up to 2-9.