Softball Game Preview: Fremont Firebirds vs. Cupertino Pioneers

The Fremont Firebirds will head out on the road to face off against the Cupertino Pioneers at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Fremont has given up an average of 9.4 runs per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Fremont had taken Palo Alto down for three straight games at home, but that winning streak came to an end on Wednesday. Fremont lost 12-3 to Palo Alto. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest defeat the Firebirds have suffered against the Vikings since April 26, 2018.

Jiyah Caban

Hits (Career)

03/26/25 vs Palo Alto	3
03/21/25 @ Monta Vista	2
03/07/25 @ Gunn	2
05/06/24 @ Santa Clara	2
05/03/24 @ Mountain View	2

Jiyah Caban was huge no matter where she played even without the win. She didn't allow a single earned run while striking out seven over 6.2 innings pitched. Caban was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with one home run, one stolen base, and two RBI. Those three hits gave her a new career-high.

Caban wasn't the only one making solid contact as two players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Charlene Hiek, who scored two runs and stole two bases while going 4-for-4. Hiek is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as she's now snagged at least one in each of the last three games she's played.

Meanwhile, Cupertino was not able to break out of their rough patch on Wednesday as the team picked up their fourth straight loss. They came up short against Saratoga, falling 12-1.

Cupertino's defeat dropped their record down to 2-5. As for Fremont, this is the second loss in a row for them and nudges their season record down to 1-4.

Cupertino's hitters will have their work cut out for them on Friday. Fremont has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.8 strikeouts per game. It's a different story for Cupertino, though, as they've been averaging only 3.1 strikeouts. Will Fremont keep running through batters, or will Cupertino buck the trend?

Fremont couldn't quite get it done against Cupertino in their previous meeting back in March of 2024 as they fell 11-6. Can Fremont avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.