Softball Game Preview: Mater Dei Knights vs. Centralia Orphans

Mater Dei is on a three-game streak of home wins, while Centralia is on a five-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The Knights will host the Orphans at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Mater Dei is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.6 runs per game this season.

Mater Dei had to skate by with only a two-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 19-run drubbing they dealt Breese Central on Wednesday. The Knights put the hurt on the Cougars with a sharp 20-1 win. Surprisingly, this marked the Knights' fourth straight game in which the away team has come away the victor.

Emma Diekemper made a splash no matter where she played. She tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off four hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with four stolen bases, three runs, and two RBI. Those four stolen bases gave her a new career-high.

Sophie Roelfs

Hits (Career)

04/23/25 @ Breese Central	3
04/17/25 vs Nashville	2
04/08/25 @ Triad	2
04/01/25 @ Highland	2
03/24/25 @ Okawville	2

In other batting news, Mater Dei got a massive performance out of Sophie Roelfs, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI. Those three hits gave Roelfs a new career-high. Maddy Huels was another key player, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and two RBI.

Mater Dei was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .621. They are 3-1 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.

Meanwhile, Centralia beat Triad 5-2 on Friday.

Mater Dei now has a winning record of 6-5-1. As for Centralia, their victory bumped their record up to 13-1.

Everything went Mater Dei's way against Centralia when the teams last played back in April of 2024, as Mater Dei made off with an 11-0 win. Will the Knights repeat their success, or do the Orphans have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.