Softball Game Preview: Clifton Central Comets vs. Grant Park Dragons

Clifton Central is a perfect 8-0 against Grant Park since April of 2016 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Tuesday. The Comets will be playing in front of their home fans against the Dragons at 4:30 p.m. The two teams have had a bumpy ride up to this point with five consecutive losses for Clifton Central and three for Grant Park.

Clifton Central fell victim to Westville and their airtight pitching crew on Monday. They lost 6-0 to the Tigers.

Emily Ponton spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and five unearned) runs on 14 hits.

Meanwhile, Grant Park came up short against Gardner-South Wilmington on Thursday and fell 7-3.

Cheyenne Hayes put in work while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out 11 batters over six innings while giving up five earned (and two unearned) runs off five hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than eight strikeouts in nine consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with one triple, one run, and one RBI.

Hayes wasn't the only one making solid contact as four players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Reegan Thompson, who went 1-for-4 with one stolen base and one run.

Grant Park's loss dropped their record down to 9-8. As for Clifton Central, their defeat dropped their record down to 12-11-1.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Clifton Central has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.3 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Grant Park struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 9.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.

Clifton Central took their win against Grant Park in their previous matchup back in May of 2024 by a conclusive 11-4 score. Will the Comets repeat their success, or do the Dragons have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.