Softball Game Preview: North Buncombe Black Hawks vs. McDowell Titans

North Buncombe and McDowell are an even 5-5 against one another since April of 2017, but likely not for long. The Black Hawks will take on the Titans at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. North Buncombe's pitching crew has only allowed three runs per game this season, so McDowell's hitters will have their work cut out for them.

Having struggled with three losses in a row, North Buncombe turned things around against T.C. Roberson on Tuesday. They never let the Rams get on the board and left with a 5-0 victory.

Sadie Jo Hunter

Batters Struck Out

04/08/25 @ T.C. Roberson	15
04/03/25 @ A.C. Reynolds	20
04/01/25 vs Erwin	26
03/25/25 @ Enka	11
03/24/25 @ Mountain Heritage	8
+ 8 more games

Sadie Jo Hunter made a splash no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only two hits while striking out 15 over seven innings pitched. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't tossed less than eight strikeouts in 13 consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing three bases while going 1-for-3. Those three stolen bases gave her a new career-high.

In other batting news, Alyssa Mayberry was excellent, scoring two runs while going 3-for-4. Those two runs gave her a new career-high. Molly Clark was another key player, scoring two runs while going 1-for-3.

North Buncombe hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as T.C. Roberson struck out 16 times.

Meanwhile, after soaring to 15 runs the game before, McDowell was a bit more limited in their game on Tuesday. They fell 5-2 to Crest. The defeat continues a trend for the Titans in their meetings with the Chargers: they've now lost four in a row.

McDowell's loss dropped their record down to 7-6. As for North Buncombe, their record is now 6-8.