Softball Game Preview: New Richmond Tigers vs. Rice Lake Warriors

Tigers

Runs

04/15/25 @ Rice Lake	16
04/12/25 @ D.C. Everest	1
04/10/25 @ River Falls	7
04/08/25 vs River Falls	7

For the second straight game, New Richmond will face off against Rice Lake. The Tigers will look to defend their home field on Thursday against the Warriors at 4:30 p.m. New Richmond is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.8 runs per game this season.

New Richmond will roll into the game after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up one run on Saturday, then bounced right back against Rice Lake on Tuesday. The Tigers put the hurt on the Warriors with a sharp 16-5 win. The Tigers not only won on Tuesday, but they posted their biggest win since May 16, 2024.

Lauren Raleigh spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered five earned runs on seven hits and racked up eight Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts in three consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Gracie Strand, who fired off three home runs and five RBI while going 3-for-3. Those RBI were her first of the season. The team also got some help courtesy of Jordyn VonWald, who went 3-for-4 with one home run, four runs, and three RBI.

New Richmond was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .410. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Rice Lake only posted a batting average of .269.

The victory got New Richmond back to even at 2-2. As for Rice Lake, they have traveled a rocky road recently, having lost three of their last four contests. That's put a noticeable dent in their 4-4 record this season.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. New Richmond has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Rice Lake struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.