Softball Game Preview: Mathews Mustangs vs. Maplewood Rockets

Mathews has won 17 straight games at home (dating back to last season), while Maplewood has won 17 straight on the road, but those streaks won't matter much on Friday. The Mustangs will welcome the Rockets at 5:00 p.m. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Mathews 3.2, Maplewood 2.6) so any runs scored will be well earned.

On Thursday, Mathews beat Ursuline 8-3.

Meanwhile, it may have taken eight innings to finish the job, but Maplewood ultimately got the result they hoped for on Thursday. They sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 9-8 win over Pymatuning Valley.

Addison Marker made a splash while hitting and pitching. She pitched eight innings while giving up five earned (and three unearned) runs off 11 hits. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in 12 consecutive appearances. She was even better at the plate, getting on base in all five of her plate appearances with one home run and four runs. Those four runs gave her a new career-high.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Aleesia Woomer, who went 4-for-5 with four RBI, two doubles, and one run. Those four RBI gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Raegan Krieg, who went 1-for-4 with two runs, two RBI, and one double.

Maplewood was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .387. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .333 or higher in three consecutive games.

Mathews' victory bumped their record up to 16-4. As for Maplewood, their win bumped their record up to 16-3.

Mathews skirted past Maplewood 4-2 when the teams last played last Wednesday. Do the Mustangs have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Rockets turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.