Softball Game Preview: Fairview Knights vs. Northfield Nighthawks

The Fairview Knights will head out to challenge the Northfield Nighthawks at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Fairview has a tough task ahead: they'll enter the matchup with four straight losses, while Northfield will come in with four straight wins.

Fairview fell victim to Holy Family and their airtight pitching crew on Tuesday. They came up short against the Tigers, falling 14-0. Having soared to a lofty 11 runs in the game before, the Knights' shutout was a dramatic turnaround.

Northfield hadn't beaten George Washington on the road since August 24, 2020 but that history sure didn't bother them on Friday. The Nighthawks blew past the Patriots 16-1. The Nighthawks might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 14 contests by nine runs or more this season.

Ricki Ramirez was a standout: she went 2-for-3 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. Audrina Srichabok was another key player, going 1-for-2 with four RBI and two runs.

They weren't the only ones making solid contact: Northfield kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 15 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in six consecutive games.

Northfield's victory bumped their record up to 15-5. As for Fairview, their defeat dropped their record down to 7-13.

Saturday's matchup might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Fairview has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .504. However, it's not like Northfield struggles in that department as they've averaged .540. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.

Everything went Fairview's way against Northfield in their previous matchup back in October of 2024, as Fairview made off with a 17-6 win. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Knights since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.