Softball Game Preview: Youngker Roughriders vs. Buckeye Hawks

For the second straight game, Youngker will face off against Buckeye. The Roughriders will host the Hawks at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Youngker has given up an average of 18.7 runs per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Youngker came into their game on Tuesday off a hard-fought close win, but unfortunately suffered a serious change of fortune. They lost 13-5 to Buckeye.

For Buckeye's part, Hailee Paladini spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered five runs (all of which were unearned) on four hits and racked up seven Ks. Paladini has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in five consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Val Villa, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and one triple. Kaleikaumaka Ellis was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing three bases while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances.

Buckeye was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .433. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .306 or higher in five consecutive matches.

Buckeye's victory was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 10-3. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.0 runs on average over those games. As for Youngker, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-7.