Softball Game Preview: Esko Eskomos vs. Rush City Tigers

The Esko Eskomos will head out on the road to challenge the Rush City Tigers at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. The two teams are strolling into their matches after big wins in their previous games.

Having struggled with three losses in a row, Esko turned things around against Aitkin on Monday. They were the clear victors by a 7-1 margin over the Gobblers.

Meanwhile, Rush City entered their tilt with Mille Lacs co-op [Isle/Onamia] on Tuesday with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. They put the hurt on the Huskies with a sharp 16-10 victory. The Tigers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won nine contests by six runs or more this season.

Kendal Pillar made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out 11 batters over 5.2 innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off five hits (and not a single walk). She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going a perfect 5-for-5 with four runs, three doubles, and two RBI. Those five hits gave her a new career-high.

In other batting news, Kensey Simmons was incredible, going 3-for-5 with three runs, three RBI, and one double. She continues to improve, besting her previous run total in each of the last three games she's played. Natalie Rood was another key player, going 2-for-4 with three runs and one RBI.

Rush City kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 19 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least nine hits in three consecutive games.

Rush City pushed their record up to 9-4 with the win, which was their third straight at home. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 15.0 runs over those games. As for Esko, their record is now 5-6.

Esko couldn't quite get it done against Rush City when the teams last played back in May of 2024 as they fell 4-1. Can the Eskomos avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.