Softball Preview: Tarpon Springs Spongers vs. Largo Packers
Tarpon Springs is 8-2 against Largo since February of 2017, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Thursday. The Tarpon Springs Spongers will head out on the road to take on the Largo Packers at 7:00 p.m. Tarpon Springs will be strutting in after a victory while Largo will be coming in after a defeat.
After only one run in their last contest, Tarpon Springs made sure to put some runs up on the board against Gibbs on Monday. Tarpon Springs never let Gibbs onto the board and left with an 18-0 win. The result was nothing new for Tarpon Springs, who have now won four games by 12 runs or more so far this season.
Alexis McLaughlin made a splash while hitting and pitching. She struck out six batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and only one walk). McLaughlin was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs and stealing a base while getting on base in all three of her plate appearances.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Kaylen McLaughlin, who scored three runs and stole three bases while going 3-for-3. Paige Viegut was another key contributor, scoring three runs and stealing five bases while getting on base in all three of her plate appearances.
Meanwhile, Largo fell victim to a tough 14-4 loss at the hands of Northeast on Tuesday. Largo has not had much luck with Northeast recently, as the team's come up short the last seven times they've met.
Miranda Rollins made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and scored two runs and stole two bases while getting on base in all three of her plate appearances. She is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as she's now stolen at least one in the last three games she's played. Another player making a difference was Lacy Smithson, who went 1-for-2 with a stolen base and an RBI.
Tarpon Springs' victory bumped their record up to 4-7. As for Largo, their defeat dropped their record down to an identical 4-7.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Thursday as neither team is afraid to steal. Tarpon Springs has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 6.4 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Largo struggles in that department as they've been averaging 4.5. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Tarpon Springs suffered a grim 20-1 defeat to Largo in their previous meeting back in March of 2023. Can Tarpon Springs avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
