Fairfield softball awaits regional opponent

Thursday night?s postseason opener in Fort Madison for softball should have determined who Fairfield would host on Saturday, but a rainout delayed the game to tonight instead. The Trojans will either host conference-foe Fort Madison or will have a date with Davenport-North. Here?s a basic look at both teams that Fairfield may have to deal with after the Trojans? first-round bye:

Fort Madison Bloodhounds

Record: 17-20

Current Streak: -3

The Bloodhounds were a thorn in Fairfield?s side all season, stealing a game in Fairfield 8-7 before falling 7-0 on June 6 and forcing another split on their home field 2-6, 9-8. If anything, Fairfield will know better than to underestimate the Bloodhounds should the teams meet up for a third time, especially since Fort Madison was also able to steal a win from Keokuk 4-3. The Bloodhounds love to keep the game close, waiting for the perfect moment to come away with a heart-wrenching victory.

Individual leaders, offense:

Batting average: Kamryn Bailey .379, Kaylin Featheringill .373, Breese Marsh .342

RBIs: Marsh 30, Featheringill 25, Bailey 16

Stolen Bases: Chayse Lowney 12-12, Featheringill 7-7, Lexi Schmidt 6-6

Marsh and Featheringill each have five homers on their stat sheets for the season, so Trojan pitchers need to be careful if those two are up to bat, especially should Bailey reach base. The sophomore Bailey has a .418 on-base percentage, which isn?t necessarily stellar, but something to be wary of. The Bloodhounds strike out a lot, something that could definitely come into play as Fairfield?s Haley Beard struck out 106 batters in 467 at-bats, while Alli Deao has 71 Ks in 512 at-bats this season.

Featheringill had a homer in the 9-8 win for Fort Madison while eighth-grader Rayne Schmidt had three hits and three RBIs as well. Fairfield did surrender a pair of unearned runs to end that game, something the Trojans will need to avoid should the teams meet again.

Individual leaders,

pitching:

Record: Lexi Schmidt 9-6, Lowney 7-10

Earned Run Average: Schmidt 3.35, Lowney 6.07

Strikeouts: Schmidt 73, Lowney 53

Walks: Schmit 21, Lowney 42

The Trojans split against both Fort Madison pitchers this season. The only other pitcher to log any innings for the Bloodhounds is Rayne Schmidt, who threw 29 innings and holds a 1-4 record. Lexi Schmidt has been the ace for Fort Madison, despite throwing fewer innings than Lowney, so expect the Bloodhounds to throw Schmidt and keep Lowney in waiting just in case they need her. One advantage is Lowney is on the mound is that she walks significantly more batters and has hit 21 batters this season, allowing teams more run-scoring opportunities.

Davenport-North Wildcats

Record: 10-23

Current Streak: -2

It?s wise to note that when the Wildcats and Bloodhounds met in Fort Madison on June 21, the Bloodhounds swept the games 5-2 and 13-3. Fort Madison also got the better of Davenport, North on June 10 in Davenport 6-0. So, the Wildcats will need an ace up their sleeves to pull out the victory, but that?s what the postseason is for right?

Individual leaders,

offense:

Batting Average: Morgan Smith .376, Emily Baenziger .284, Andrea Figg .283

RBIs: Baenziger 16, Lynde Holdt 13, Smith 12

Home Runs: Smith 2, Holdt 1, Hannah Willers 1

Smith sports a .457 on-base percentage to go with that decent average and loves to hit the ball for extra bases, smacking 10 doubles and three triples to go with the two homers. Baenziger?s another threat for doubles with nine, but other than that, there isn?t much to write home about for the Wildcats? offense. They aren?t patient, striking out 128 times this season while walking only 87, with Smith and Holdt the only two players to record double-digit walks. The Wildcats are vulnerable to chasing pitches and should Fairfield face them Saturday, expect a lot of waste pitches and baiting to happen.

Individual leaders,

pitching:

Record: Baenziger 5-9, Figg 4-13

ERA: Baenziger 3.83, Figg 4.24

Strikeouts: Figg 71, Baenziger 54

Walks: Baenziger 20, Figg 28

Both main pitchers are allowing around a .300 opponent batting average, but considering that almost 100 of the runs Davenport North has allowed are unearned, the guess is that their defense isn?t helping too much. The strikeout numbers are decent, but Fairfield?s offense should be able to get the bat on the ball and put it in play, forcing the Wildcats to make a play to stop them. Davenport, North has committed 83 errors on the season defensively and struggle with throwing out baserunners (5-34), so expect the Trojans to run wild and try to build an early lead if this is the matchup.