Softball Game Preview: Handley Tigers vs. Montgomery Catholic Knights

The Handley Tigers will head out to face off against the Montgomery Catholic Knights at 4:30 p.m. on Friday.

Thursday just wasn't the day for Handley's offense. They fell just short of Woodland by a score of 1-0 on Thursday. The Tigers' defeat signaled the end of their three-game winning streak.

Rayna Smith spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered a run (which was unearned) on four hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances.

Meanwhile, Montgomery Catholic never let their opponents score on Thursday. They walked away with a 5-0 win over Glenwood. The victory was some much needed relief for the Knights as it spelled an end to their six-game losing streak.

The team relied heavily on Haley Ishman, who scored two runs while going 3-for-4. That's the most runs she has posted since back in April of 2024. Hayden Fitts also deserves some recognition as she hit her first double of the season.

Ishman wasn't the only one making solid contact: Montgomery Catholic kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their hit total in three consecutive contests.

Handley's loss dropped their record down to 13-11-1. As for Montgomery Catholic, their record now sits at 10-19.

Handley skirted past Montgomery Catholic 8-6 in their previous meeting back in March. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Tigers since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.