Softball Game Preview: Orofino Maniacs vs. Centennial Patriots

The Orofino Maniacs will face off against the Centennial Patriots at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Orofino has given up an average of 8.8 runs per game this season, but Saturday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Orofino is probably headed into the match with a chip on their shoulder considering Grangeville just ended the team's three-game winning streak on Tuesday. They fell 19-15 to the Bulldogs.

Rilee Diffin

Runs Batted In

04/15/25 vs Grangeville	5
04/12/25 vs St. Maries	3
04/12/25 vs St. Maries	6
04/11/25 @ Priest River	5

Rilee Diffin made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 4-for-5 with one home run, five RBI, and two runs. She has been hot recently, having posted three or more RBI the last four times she's played. Livia Johnson was another key player, going 2-for-5 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs.

Meanwhile, Centennial faced Mountain View in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Friday. The Patriots lost 13-3 to the Mavericks. That's two games in a row now that the Patriots have lost by exactly ten runs.

Bailey Shankland ?26 was cooking despite her team's loss, going 1-for-3 with one home run. Another player making a difference was Josie Moorhouse, who went 1-for-2 with one home run.

Orofino's defeat dropped their record down to 10-3. As for Centennial, they have been struggling recently as they've lost three of their last four games. That's put a noticeable dent in their 10-10 record this season.

Centennial's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Orofino has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 12.3 hits per game. It's a different story for Centennial, though, as they've been averaging 11 hits. Given Orofino's sizable advantage in that area, the Patriots will need to find a way to close that gap.

Orofino came up short against Centennial when the teams last played back in March of 2016, falling 7-2. Can the Maniacs avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.