Softball Game Preview: ALA - Queen Creek Patriots vs. Combs Coyotes

For the second straight game, ALA - Queen Creek will face off against Combs. The Patriots will be playing at home against the Coyotes at 3:45 p.m. on Thursday. ALA - Queen Creek is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.4 runs per game this season.

ALA - Queen Creek will roll into the matchup after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up two runs last Wednesday, then bounced right back against Combs on Tuesday. The Patriots blew past the Coyotes 23-3. The Patriots have beaten the Coyotes the last six times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Coyotes has come to flipping the script.

Chloe Varvel was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she tossed four innings while giving up three earned runs off four hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in eight consecutive appearances. She was even better at the plate, scoring two runs while going 4-for-5. That's the most hits she has posted since back in March of 2024.

Tatum Morris

Runs (Career)

04/08/25 @ Combs	4
03/27/25 vs ALA - Gilbert North	2
03/24/25 vs Estrella Foothills	2
03/03/25 @ ALA - Gilbert North	2
02/28/25 vs Westwood	2

In other batting news, ALA - Queen Creek got a massive performance out of Tatum Morris, who got on base in four of her five plate appearances with four runs, four RBI, and two doubles. Those four runs gave Morris a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Sadie Nielson, who scored four runs and stole two bases while getting on base in all five of her plate appearances.

ALA - Queen Creek kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 25 hits. They are 8-1 when they post 11 or more hits.

ALA - Queen Creek's win bumped their record up to 10-11. As for Combs, they are on a five-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 5-14.

Combs' pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: ALA - Queen Creek has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9.7 hits per game. It's a different story for Combs, though, as they've been averaging 10.5 hits. Given ALA - Queen Creek's sizable advantage in that area, the Coyotes will need to find a way to close that gap. Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other softball content.