Softball Game Preview: Mabel-Canton Cougars vs. Wabasha-Kellogg Falcons

Mabel-Canton hasn't had much luck against Wabasha-Kellogg recently, but that could start to change on Tuesday. The Cougars are taking a road trip to challenge the Falcons at 5:00 p.m. Mabel-Canton is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.4 runs per game this season.

Mabel-Canton is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Monday. They walked away with a 9-4 victory over Spring Grove. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Cougars.

Tylar Wenthold spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and one unearned) runs on six hits and racked up 15 Ks. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts any time she's pitched this season.

On the hitting side, Kira Snyder was incredible, going 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. That's the most RBI she has posted over her last three matchups. Another player making a difference was Ella Halverson, who went 2-for-4 with two runs, one triple, and one double.

Meanwhile, Wabasha-Kellogg hadn't done well against Dover-Eyota recently (they were 1-8 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Friday. The Falcons had just enough and edged out the Eagles 2-1. Winning may never get old, but the Falcons sure are getting used to it with their fourth in a row.

Mabel-Canton pushed their record up to 17-6 with the win, which was their third straight at home. Those home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.3 runs on average over those games. As for Wabasha-Kellogg, their win was their first in the conference, bumping their conference record up to 1-2 and their overall record up to 12-8.

Mabel-Canton suffered a grim 10-0 defeat to Wabasha-Kellogg in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Can the Cougars avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.