Softball Game Preview: Hibbing Bluejackets vs. Cloquet Lumberjacks

The Hibbing Bluejackets will challenge the Cloquet Lumberjacks at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. The two teams are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.

Hibbing took a loss when they played away from home on Thursday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Friday. They were the clear victors by an 8-2 margin over Marshall. The Bluejackets haven't had any issues with the Hilltoppers recently, as the game was their fourth consecutive victory against them.

Emma McDowell spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned runs on four hits and racked up ten Ks.

On the hitting side, Kendal Gustavsson was incredible, going 3-for-4 with one triple, one run, and one double. The team also got some help courtesy of Kori McCormick, who went 1-for-4 with one triple, one run, and one RBI.

Cloquet hadn't beaten Esko on the road since May 3, 2018 but that history sure didn't bother them on Thursday. The Lumberjacks put the hurt on the Eskomos with a sharp 15-4 win.

Hibbing's first victory this season bumped their record up to 1-2. As for Cloquet, their win bumped their record up to 1-0.

Hibbing beat Cloquet 3-0 in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Bluejackets since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.