Softball Game Preview: Fletcher Senators vs. Nease Panthers

The Fletcher Senators will face off against the Nease Panthers at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Fletcher will aim to continue their four-game streak of scoring more runs each match than the last.

Fletcher is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. Everything went their way against Sandalwood on Wednesday as Fletcher made off with a 17-6 win. With that victory, the Senators brought their scoring average up to 7.3 runs per game.

The team relied heavily on Ava Lowman, who scored four runs while going 4-for-5. She continues to improve, besting her previous point total in each of the last three games she's played. Madison Rodriguez was another key player, scoring three runs while going 2-for-4.

Lowman wasn't the only one working in the hit department: Fletcher kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 18 hits. Fletcher is a perfect 3-0 when they post 11 or more hits.

The home team had won the previous seven meetings between Nease and Bartram Trail, and Bartram Trail kept the tradition alive. Nease took an 8-3 hit to the loss column at the hands of Bartram Trail on Wednesday.

Alanna Doherty made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI. Another player making a difference was Miranda Harmon, who scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-4.

Fletcher now has a winning record of 4-3. As for Nease, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-7.

Nease's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Fletcher has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9.6 hits per game. It's a different story for Nease, though, as they've been averaging 8.7 hits. Given Fletcher's sizable advantage in that area, Nease will need to find a way to close that gap.

Fletcher couldn't quite get it done against Nease in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 as they fell 5-2. Can Fletcher avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.