Softball Game Preview: Prout Crusaders vs. St. Raphael Academy Saints

The Prout Crusaders will square off against the St. Raphael Academy Saints on Friday. Neither of those teams managed to put together many runs in their previous contests, so the offenses might be a little more motivated than usual.

Prout heads in on the heels of a playoff contest on Tuesday. They lost 9-0 to La Salle Academy. The defeat continues a trend for the Crusaders in their meetings with the Rams: they've now lost seven in a row.

Meanwhile, St. Raphael Academy faced North Kingstown in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Tuesday. The Saints came up short against the Skippers, falling 7-1. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest loss the Saints have suffered since April 23rd.

Piper McMurray made the most of her time in the batter's box despite the final result and went 1-for-3 with one home run. That home run was her first of the season.

Prout now has a losing record of 11-12. As for St. Raphael Academy, their defeat dropped their record down to 14-6.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Prout has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like St. Raphael Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.5 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.

Prout couldn't quite get it done against St. Raphael Academy in their previous matchup back in April as they fell 8-4. Can the Crusaders avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.