Softball Game Preview: Lakota East Thunderhawks vs. Lakota West Firebirds

The Lakota East Thunderhawks will square off against the Lakota West Firebirds at 5:00 p.m. on Monday. Lakota East is coming into the matchup on a six-game losing streak.

Lakota East lost 12-2 to Boyd County on Saturday. That's two games in a row now that the Thunderhawks have lost by exactly ten runs.

Abrie Shulte made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went a perfect 3-for-3 with one run and one double.

Meanwhile, Lakota West fought the good fight in their extra-innings contest against Fairfield on Thursday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Indians by a score of 5-4. The loss continues a trend for the Firebirds in their meetings with the Indians: they've now lost three in a row.

Lakota West also got a good showing from Lyla Gully, who pitched 3.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off three hits. Gully has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in four consecutive appearances.

At the plate, Lakota West saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Leah Witmer, who went 1-for-5 with two RBI.

Lakota East's defeat dropped their record down to 7-6. As for Lakota West, their loss dropped their record down to 4-4.

Monday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Lakota East hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .345. However, it's not like Lakota West struggles in that department as they've averaged .344. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.

Everything went Lakota East's way against Lakota West in their previous meeting two weeks ago, as Lakota East made off with a 12-5 win. Do the Thunderhawks have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Firebirds turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.