The Southwood Knights will venture away from home to challenge the Bluffton Tigers at 5:00 p.m. on Monday. Southwood has given up an average of 8.5 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
On Wednesday, Southwood didn't have quite enough to beat Wes-Del and fell 15-14. The loss was the Knights' first of the season.
Natalie Sutphin was huge no matter where she played even without the win. She tossed 6.1 innings while giving up just one earned (and 14 unearned) runs off ten hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks any time she's pitched this season. She was also big at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two RBI.
In other batting news, Gracie Lambert made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 3-for-5 with one home run, three runs, and two RBI. Those RBI were her first of the season. Rylee Thomas was another key player, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Meanwhile, Bluffton fell victim to Garrett and their airtight pitching crew on Friday. They fell just short of the Railroaders by a score of 2-0. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest loss the Tigers have suffered since April 16, 2024.
Like Southwood, Bluffton also got a great game from a two-way player: Madyson Sonnigsen. On the mound, she struck out nine batters over six innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off three hits. Sonnigsen was also solid in the batter's box, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one stolen base.
Sonnigsen wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Jillian Phillippe, who went 1-for-2 with one double.
Having lost for the first time this season, Southwood fell to 3-1. As for Bluffton, their record now sits at 3-5.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Southwood has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Bluffton 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.
Southwood took their win against Bluffton in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 6-0 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Knights since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
