Softball Game Preview: Denfeld Hunters vs. Hibbing Bluejackets

The Denfeld Hunters will head out on the road to square off against the Hibbing Bluejackets at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday. Denfeld has given up an average of 12.7 runs per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Denfeld is coming in off a wild two-game stretch: after soaring to 16 runs on Monday, they were much more limited against Superior on Tuesday. They lost 15-0 to the Spartans. The Hunters have struggled against the Spartans recently, as the game was their seventh consecutive lost meeting.

Meanwhile, Hibbing scored first but ultimately less than Grand Rapids in their game on Tuesday. They came up short against the Thunderhawks, falling 14-4.

Hibbing saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Emma McDowell, who went 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI. Kendal Gustavsson was another, going 2-for-3 with one run and one double.

The defeat was their first at home , dropping their record down to 4-4. As for Denfeld, their loss dropped their record down to 1-8.

Denfeld's speedy runners might be the difference in Thursday's contest. The Hunters have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.1 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Hibbing, though, as they've been averaging only 1.1 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Denfeld continue to outrun the ball?

Denfeld suffered a grim 17-2 defeat to Hibbing in their previous matchup back in May of 2024. Can the Hunters avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.