Both the Volts (2-4) and the Blaze (1-5) were swept by their opponents this past weekend. Now, the two teams will meet head-to-head on Tuesday, both desperately looking for a victory. 

The last time these two teams faced off, the Volts got the better of the Blaze in two of the three games; however, the Blaze’s only win this season is against the team in purple and green. 

The Volts have lost four straight, and to shift the momentum, they will have to do a few things. 

KEY #1 The bats need to come alive. 

The Volts hit .209 against the Bandits and were shut out in the third game of the series. Their ability to score was a key factor the last time they met the Blaze. They put up 16 runs in three games and got to every pitcher that the Blaze showed in the circle.

However, after their last three games against the Bandits, they have dropped to the lowest batting average in the league, hitting .263 as a team. 

The offense has the potential. Danieca Coffey is tied for second in the league in batting average with teammate Kelsey Stewart-Hunter. Both are hitting .500. Tiare Jennings is fifth in the league in slugging percentage at .706. 

Another key that could help the offense is the addition of Mia Scott. The rookie, who was selected from the reserve pool after Stewart-Hunter was placed on the Injury Reserve List, is coming off a national championship with Texas and a decorated career.

KEY #2 Pitchers need to adjust this time around. 

Rachel Garcia was fabulous in the first series against the Blaze. She allowed just seven hits in 9.2 innings of work. Mariah Mazon and Payton Gottshall also pitched well.

However, now the Blaze hitters know what to expect, and the pitchers will need to adjust to the quick turnaround in matchups. 

The Blaze have the league’s leading hitter in Baylee Klinger, who is batting .636 with a .667 on-base percentage and 1.000 slugging percentage. 

KEY #3 Shake. It. Off. 

A great artist once said to “shake it off,” and the team that does so quicker will win the series. They know their opponent’s tendencies, and both need the win to stay competitive in the league.

In addition to Scott joining the roster, Mary Iakopo was reassigned to the Reserve Athlete Pool. The Volts also expect the return of Sam Show, Dejah Mulipola, and Erika Piancastelli from the Japan Diamond League, adding more pop to the lineup.

The series between the Volts and the Blaze starts at 8:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday in Wichita. 

Maria Trivelpiece is currently the Director of Video Communications and Reporter at the American Athletic Conference and a softball color analyst. Trivelpiece was an outfielder at Fordham University and still stays involved with the game through coaching and covering the sport. You can follow her on X M_Trivelpiece or Instagram @_mariatrivelpiece