Softball Game Preview: Utica Chieftains vs. Utica Eisenhower Eagles

The Utica Chieftains will challenge the Utica Eisenhower Eagles at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. The two teams each escaped (but just barely!) with wins against their previous opponents.

Utica Eisenhower will be up against a hot Utica squad: the team just extended their winning streak to three. The Chieftains came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured a 7-6 W against Notre Dame Prep. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Chieftains have posted since May 2nd.

Violet Smith spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and three unearned) runs on six hits and racked up ten Ks.

At the plate, the team relied heavily on Rachel Durecki, who went 1-for-4 with three runs and one triple. That's the most runs she has posted since back in May of 2024. Alora Hogsten was another key player, going 2-for-3 with two doubles.

Utica hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Notre Dame Prep struck out ten times.

Meanwhile, Utica Eisenhower had already won two in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 6 runs) and they went ahead and made it three on Wednesday. They came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured an 8-7 W against the Crusaders.

Utica's victory bumped their record up to 13-14-1. As for Utica Eisenhower, their win bumped their record up to 7-9.