Softball Game Preview: Merryville Panthers vs. Bell City Bruins

The Merryville Panthers will venture away from home to take on the Bell City Bruins at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Merryville is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.4 runs per game this season.

On Thursday, Merryville earned a 6-3 win over Grand Lake. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Panthers.

B Stewart looked comfortable as she tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up a single earned run in four consecutive appearances.

At the plate, Merryville let Brynn Beard and Kyleigh Spillers run wild. Beard went 3-for-4 with three runs, one triple, and one double, while Spillers scored a run and stole a base while going 3-for-4. That's the most runs Beard has posted since back in March. Jolee Harrell was another key player, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases.

Meanwhile, Bell City came up short against Barbe on Tuesday, falling 14-6. The Bruins have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.

Sunni Kelley made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and scored two runs and stole a base while going 1-for-3. Kamryn Benham also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.

Bell City's defeat dropped their record down to 6-8. As for Merryville, they now have a winning record of 13-12.

Merryville suffered a grim 17-5 defeat to Bell City in their previous meeting back in March of 2022. Can the Panthers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.