Softball Game Preview: Kerman Lions vs. Torres Toros

The Kerman Lions will head out on the road to square off against the Torres Toros at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Kerman's pitching crew has only allowed 2.7 runs per game this season, so Torres' hitters will have their work cut out for them.

On Tuesday, Kerman needed a bit of extra time to put away Tulare Union. They came out on top against the Tribe by a score of 13-8. The Lions' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.

Roxy Alvarez made a splash no matter where she played. She struck out nine batters over 5.2 innings while giving up three earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits. Alvarez was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 2-for-4. That's the most hits she has posted since back in May of 2024.

In other batting news, Jadyn Grewal and Jaymee Hick did most of the damage at the plate: Grewal scored three runs and stole a base while going 3-for-4, while Hick got on base in four of her five plate appearances with one home run, three RBI, and one double. That's the most hits Grewal has posted since back in April of 2024. Allison Sanchez also deserves some recognition as she brought in her first RBI of the season.

Kerman kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Tulare Union only managed seven hits.

Meanwhile, Torres is still winless after their contest against Sierra on Wednesday, but the team can take solace in the fact it was the closest they've come to winning. They were two runs away from ending the streak, but they lost a 7-5 heartbreaker at the hands of the Chieftains. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest loss the Toros have suffered since April 23, 2024.

The victory made it two in a row for Kerman and bumps their season record up to 4-2. A key ingredient in that success has been their performance when it comes to hits: they averaged an imposing ten hits in those games compared to only four in the others. As for Torres, their defeat dropped their record down to 0-5.

Kerman took their win against Torres in their previous meeting back in March of 2024 by a conclusive 14-4. The rematch might be a little tougher for Kerman since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.