Softball Game Preview: Stuarts Draft Cougars vs. Fort Defiance Indians

The Stuarts Draft Cougars will head out to square off against the Fort Defiance Indians at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Stuarts Draft is coming into the matchup hot, having won their last five games.

Last Thursday, Stuarts Draft made easy work of Buffalo Gap and carried off an 8-2 win. The Cougars might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won four contests by six runs or more this season.

Karlee Layne

Batters Struck Out

04/10/25 vs Buffalo Gap	8
04/03/25 vs Riverheads	10
03/28/25 @ Nelson County	7

Karlee Layne was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out eight batters over seven innings while giving up just two earned runs off seven hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 3-for-4. That's the most hits she has posted since back in April of 2024.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Sierra Whetsel, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI and one double. Maddy Miller was another key player, scoring a run while going 3-for-4.

Stuarts Draft kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 14 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in six consecutive games.

Meanwhile, Fort Defiance came up short against Turner Ashby on Monday, falling 10-3. The Indians have struggled against the Knights recently, as the game was their sixth consecutive lost meeting.

Stuarts Draft now has a winning record of 5-4. As for Fort Defiance, they now have a losing record of 3-4.

Stuarts Draft couldn't quite finish off Fort Defiance when the teams last played back in May of 2024 and fell 5-3. Can the Cougars avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.