Hazen hasn't had much luck against Beulah recently, but that could start to change on Tuesday. The Bison will host the Miners at 4:30 p.m. Hazen has given up an average of 17.7 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Hazen is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of North Dakota's top teams: Velva/Drake/Anamoose, who was ranked first at the time (Hazen was ranked 17th). The Bison lost 24-0 to the Aggies on Thursday. The Bison were red-hot at the plate heading into the contest (they scored no less than ten runs in the three games prior), but the Aggies' pitchers proved too tough.
Meanwhile, Beulah waltzed into their match on Monday with four straight wins... but they left with five. They beat the Cardinals by the very same score they won with in their prior game: 13-2. Considering the Miners have won five games by more than ten runs this season, Monday's blowout was nothing new.
Addie Dale-Geiger was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She struck out nine batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off two hits. She has been consistent: she hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in eight consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, firing off two home runs, five RBI, and three runs while going 3-for-4. With that strong performance, she is now averaging an impressive 2.2 runs per game.
In other batting news, Beulah let Peyten Horning and Cassie Christensen run wild. Horning got on base in three of her four plate appearances with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI, while Christensen got on base in three of her four plate appearances with three runs. Elli Weidner was another key player, going 2-for-3 with two runs and one triple.
Beulah always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .529. They are a perfect 5-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Beulah's victory was their fourth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 7-3. Those road wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.5 runs on average over those games. As for Hazen, their loss dropped their record down to 1-5.
Tuesday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Hazen has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .542. However, it's not like Beulah struggles in that department as they've averaged .528. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Hazen might still be hurting after the 21-0 defeat they got from Beulah when the teams last played back in April of 2024. Will the Bison have more luck at home instead of on the road? Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other softball content.
