The Soda Springs Cardinals will face off against the Ririe Bulldogs at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Soda Springs is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 10.1 runs per game this season.
Soda Springs will roll into the matchup after a wild two-game stretch: they didn't score any runs on Monday, then bounced right back against West Side on Wednesday. The Cardinals put the hurt on the Pirates with a sharp 17-2 win. The victory continues a trend for the Cardinals in their matchups with the Pirates: they've now won six in a row.
Aiyana Davis made a splash no matter where she played. She pitched three innings while giving up just two earned runs off three hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up a single walk in four consecutive appearances. She was even better at the plate, going a perfect 4-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and one triple. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in March.
In other batting news, Soda Springs let Abby Goodin and Aspen Davis run wild. Goodin went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs, four RBI, and one triple, while Davis went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs, one triple, and one stolen base. That's the most RBI Goodin has posted since back in March. The team also got some help courtesy of Haizley Mumford, who went 1-for-2 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Soda Springs kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 15 hits. They are 4-2 when they post 11 or more hits.
Meanwhile, Ririe had already won three in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 3.3 runs) and they went ahead and made it four on Wednesday. They narrowly escaped with a win as the squad sidled past the Cougars 8-6.
Cheznee Smith made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out 13 batters over seven innings while giving up four earned (and two unearned) runs off seven hits (and only one walk). Smith was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with three stolen bases and two runs.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Ava Escalera, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with two stolen bases, three runs, and one triple. Haylee Smith was another key player, going 2-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and two doubles.
Ririe pushed their record up to 8-7 with the victory, which was their third straight at home. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.0 runs over those games. As for Soda Springs, their victory bumped their record up to 7-8.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Thursday as neither team is afraid to steal. Soda Springs has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 6.3 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Ririe struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 7.5 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Soda Springs couldn't quite finish off Ririe in their previous meeting last Tuesday and fell 9-7. Will the Cardinals have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other softball content.
