Softball Recap: Fruitland Comes Up Short

Fruitland had lost five straight at home, but on Wednesday they dropped their record down to 7-11 to make it six. They lost 19-6 to the McCall-Donnelly Vandals. The Grizzlies were not able to repeat the success they had when they faced the Vandals earlier this season, when they won 25-20.

Macy Kile and Maite Stringer stepped up to the plate in a big way. Kile got on base in three of her four plate appearances with two RBI and one double, while Stringer went 2-for-4 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run. The team also got some help courtesy of Faith Newman, who got on base in three of her four plate appearances with one run.

As for McCall-Donnelly, their victory ended a ten-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 2-13. They not only won on Wednesday, but they posted their biggest win since April 15, 2024 (when they won 15-2).

On McCall-Donnelly's side, Ceder Saxton was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out ten batters over six innings while giving up four earned (and two unearned) runs off five hits. Those ten strikeouts gave Saxton a new career-high. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two runs, two RBI, and one double.

In other batting news, Jill Thomas was a standout: she went 3-for-5 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs. Those four RBI gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Sailor Hartley, who got on base in four of her five plate appearances with one home run, four RBI, and two runs.

Looking ahead, Fruitland will host Nampa Christian at 11:00 a.m. on Friday. The Grizzlies' pitchers better be ready for this one: the Trojans have averaged an impressive 11 runs per game this season. As for McCall-Donnelly, they will head out on the road to face off against New Plymouth at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. The Vandals' pitchers better be ready for this one: the Pilgrims have averaged an impressive 11.4 runs per game this season.