The Auburn Riverside Ravens will venture away from home to square off against the Kentridge Chargers at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Kentridge took a loss in their last matchup and will be looking to turn the tables on Auburn Riverside, who comes in off a win.
Auburn Riverside will roll into the game after a wild two-game stretch: they didn't score any runs on Thursday, then bounced right back against Mt. Rainier on Tuesday. The Ravens were the clear victors by a 20-5 margin over the Rams. The result was nothing new for the Ravens, who have now won six contests by six runs or more so far this season.
Makenna Vircks looked comfortable as she struck out six batters over three innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off three hits.
On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Hannah Potter, who went 3-for-4 with one home run, three RBI, and one triple. That triple was her first of the season. Lauren Watson was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 1-for-2.
Auburn Riverside always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .667. They are a perfect 6-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Meanwhile, Kentridge has relied on a stalwart pitchers averaging 3.33 runs allowed per game, but that average took a hit on Tuesday. They came up short against Stadium, falling 11-5. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest loss the Chargers have suffered since March 15, 2024.
Jozi Thompson put in work while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out 11 batters over four innings while giving up four earned runs off three hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-4.
In other batting news, Kenzie Coble was cooking despite her team's loss, going 2-for-4 with three RBI, one triple, and one double. Another player making a difference was Naomi Benavides, who scored two runs while going 1-for-4.
Kentridge's defeat dropped their record down to 6-3. As for Auburn Riverside, they have been performing well recently as they've won six of their last eight matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 8-4 record this season.
Thursday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Auburn Riverside has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .506. However, it's not like Kentridge struggles in that department as they've averaged .433. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other softball content.
