Softball Game Preview: Howards Grove Tigers vs. Random Lake Rams

For the second straight game, Howards Grove will face off against Random Lake. The Tigers will take on the Rams at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Howards Grove is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8 runs per game this season.

Howards Grove had been on a three-game streak of scoring at least ten runs, but Random Lake put an end to it on Tuesday. The Tigers lost 17-0 to the Rams. The Tigers' loss signaled the end of their three-game winning streak.

For Random Lake's part, Danika Eberhardt made a big impact no matter where she played. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit while striking out eight over four innings pitched. Eberhardt has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than one walk in four consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in all four of her plate appearances with three runs and one stolen base. That stolen base marked the first that she has snagged this season.

In other batting news, Natalie Arndt was incredible, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with two stolen bases, three runs, and one triple. That triple was her first of the season. The team also got some help courtesy of Chloe Thill, who went 2-for-3 with three RBI, one run, and one double.

Random Lake always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .722. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Howards Grove only posted an OBP of .077.

The victory (which was Random Lake's fourth in a row) raised their record to 9-2. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 15.0 runs over those games. As for Howards Grove, their defeat was their first in the conference, dropping their conference record down to 3-1 and their overall record down to 3-3.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Howards Grove has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Random Lake struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one. Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other softball content.