Softball Game Preview: Shafter Generals vs. Kerman Lions

The Shafter Generals will head out on the road to take on the Kerman Lions at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The last three games Shafter has played have been within two runs, so don't be surprised if it's a close one.

Shafter is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They came out on top in a nail-biter against Tehachapi, sneaking past 6-4. The Generals haven't had any issues with the Warriors recently, as the game was their third consecutive win against them.

Cassidy Torres made a splash no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over nine innings while giving up four earned runs off seven hits (and not a single walk). She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 15 consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with two RBI.

Torres wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Paulina Huitzacua, who went 1-for-3 with two runs and one double.

Meanwhile, Kerman had already won two in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 4 runs) and they went ahead and made it three on Friday. They came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured a 4-3 W against the Tribe. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Lions have posted against the Tribe since March 12, 2019.

Roxy Alvarez spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned (and one unearned) runs on four hits and racked up 11 Ks.

Shafter pushed their record up to 19-7-2 with the win, which was their third straight at home. The home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.0 runs on average over those games. As for Kerman, their record is now 14-7.