Softball Game Preview: Hoover Tornados vs. Burroughs Bears

Hoover hasn't had much luck against Burroughs recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. The Tornados will challenge the Bears at 3:30 p.m. Hoover has given up an average of 9.4 runs per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Tuesday just wasn't the day for Hoover's offense. They came up short against Crescenta Valley on Tuesday, falling 16-0. Having soared to a lofty 23 runs in the game before, the Tornados' shutout was a dramatic turnaround.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Burroughs). They never let Pasadena get on the board and left with a 16-0 victory on Tuesday. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the team's high-flying offense, the game also marked the team's biggest win of the season.

Valentina Clemons looked comfortable as she kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits over four innings pitched. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Kalani Miramontes, who scored three runs while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances. Sabrina Coto was another key player, scoring a run while going 2-for-3.

Burroughs always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .964. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

The victory made it two in a row for Burroughs and bumps their season record up to 13-4. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered a grand total of 0 runs in those games. As for Hoover, their defeat dropped their record down to 12-6.

Hoover suffered a grim 16-0 defeat to Burroughs in their previous matchup back in March of 2024. Can the Tornados avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.