The Bluffton Tigers will face off against the Southwood Knights at 5:00 p.m. on Monday. Bluffton is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8 runs per game this season.
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. Having soared to a lofty 21 runs in the game before, the Tigers' shutout was a dramatic turnaround.
Madyson Sonnigsen was huge no matter where she played even without the win. 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 big at the plate, 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.
Meanwhile, Southwood didn't have quite enough to beat Wes-Del on Wednesday and fell 15-14. The loss was the Knights' first of the season.
Like Bluffton, Southwood also got a great game from a two-way player: Natalie Sutphin. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing 6.1 innings while giving up just one earned (and 14 unearned) runs off ten hits. Sutphin has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks any time she's pitched this season. She was also solid in the batter's box, 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 marked the first that she has brought in this 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.
Having lost for the first time this season, Southwood fell to 3-1. As for Bluffton, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-5.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Bluffton has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.1 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Southwood struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Bluffton might still be hurting after the 6-0 loss they got from Southwood when the teams last played back in April of 2024. Will the Tigers have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
