Softball Game Preview: Independence Blue Devils vs. Wellington Dukes

The Independence Blue Devils will square off against the Wellington Dukes at 5:00 p.m. on Monday. Independence's pitching crew has only allowed 3.6 runs per game this season, so Wellington's hitters will have their work cut out for them.

Independence is probably headed into the contest with a chip on their shoulder considering Brecksville-Broadview Heights just ended the team's eight-game winning streak on Thursday. They lost 12-0 to the Bees. The Blue Devils were red-hot at the plate heading into the game (they scored no less than ten runs in the seven matches prior), but the Bees' pitchers proved too tough.

Independence saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Macey McGhee, who went 1-for-2 with one double.

Meanwhile, Wellington didn't have quite enough to beat Brookside on Friday and fell 6-4.

Mallory Pickering was huge no matter where she played even without the win. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out 11 batters over 6.1 innings while giving up four earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than eight strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 1-for-4 with two stolen bases and one run.

Wellington's defeat dropped their record down to 10-10. As for Independence, their loss dropped their record down to 18-4.

Independence skirted past Wellington 3-1 in their previous matchup back in May of 2022. Will the Blue Devils repeat their success, or do the Dukes have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.