Softball Game Preview: Heritage Patriots vs. Bellmont Braves

The Heritage Patriots will face off against the Bellmont Braves at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Heritage 1.7, Bellmont 3.8) so any runs scored will be well earned.

On Monday, Heritage came up short against Carroll and fell 4-1. The contest marked the Patriots' lowest-scoring matchup so far this season.

Danica Fuller spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and three unearned) runs on seven hits and racked up ten Ks. She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in eight consecutive appearances.

For some reason, the away team has come away with the win the last four times Bellmont and Woodlan have met, but the home crowd finally got their W on Monday. The Braves fell just short of the Warriors by a score of 7-5. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest loss the Braves have suffered since May 1, 2024.

Bella Ashley was huge no matter where she played even without the win. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing 6.2 innings while giving up just two earned (and five unearned) runs off seven hits. Ashley was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with one home run and two RBI.

In other batting news, Emily Bleke made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 1-for-4 with one home run. Onalee Krueckeberg was another key player, going 1-for-3 with one run, one double, and one RBI.

Bellmont's defeat dropped their record down to 3-2. As for Heritage, their loss was their first of the season and makes their record 8-1.

Everything went Heritage's way against Bellmont in their previous matchup back in April of 2023, as Heritage made off with a 12-5 win. Will the Patriots repeat their success, or do the Braves have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.