Softball Game Preview: San Marcos Knights vs. Mission Hills Grizzlies

San Marcos and Mission Hills are an even 5-5 against one another since May of 2021, but likely not for long. The Knights will square off against the Grizzlies at 4:00 p.m. on Monday. San Marcos will be looking to extend their current three-game winning streak.

San Marcos took a nine-run defeat the last time they faced off against Rancho Bernardo, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Knights sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 2-1 victory over the Broncos on Friday. The game was the first time the Knights have beaten the Broncos on their field since May 5, 2022.

Isabella Esparza was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she pitched seven innings while giving up just one earned run off seven hits. What's more, she posted three strikeouts, the most she's had since back in May of 2024. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one stolen base and one run.

Lily Barstad

Doubles (Career)

05/09/25 @ Rancho Bernardo	2
05/06/25 vs San Pasqual	1
05/02/25 vs Poway	1
03/10/25 @ Del Norte	1
03/05/25 @ Mission Vista	1

In other batting news, Lily Barstad was excellent, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and one run. Those two doubles gave her a new career-high.

Meanwhile, Mission Hills has relied on a stalwart pitchers averaging 3.59 runs allowed per game, but that average took a hit on Friday. They lost 10-1 to Del Norte. The Grizzlies' loss signaled the end of their five-game winning streak.

San Marcos' record now sits at 15-11. As for Mission Hills, their defeat dropped their record down to 13-9.

San Marcos might still be hurting after the 9-1 loss they got from Mission Hills in their previous meeting last Wednesday. Can the Knights avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.