Softball Game Preview: Southern Christian Patriots vs. Evangel Christian Lightning

The Southern Christian Patriots are taking a road trip to face off against the Evangel Christian Lightning at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Southern Christian has given up an average of 11.1 runs per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Monday just wasn't the day for Southern Christian's offense. They lost 13-0 to Bessemer Academy on Monday. The Patriots have struggled against the Rebels recently, as the game was their fourth consecutive lost meeting.

Southern Christian saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Journee McKee, who went 1-for-2 with one double.

The home team had come away the winner the last four times Evangel Christian and North River Christian had met, but sadly for the fans who attended this one that wasn't the case. The Lightning blew past the Chargers 16-6 on Tuesday. The result was nothing new for the Lightning, who have now won 13 contests by seven runs or more so far this season.

Evangel Christian let Jaydin Johnson and Makayla Cranford run wild. Johnson went 4-for-5 with three runs, three doubles, and two RBI, while Cranford went 4-for-5 with three doubles, three RBI, and two runs. Those three doubles gave Cranford a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Willa Bedsole, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-5.

Evangel Christian was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .432. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as North River Christian only posted a batting average of .231.

Evangel Christian pushed their record up to 17-9 with the win, which was their fourth straight on the road. The road victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 12.3 runs over those games. As for Southern Christian, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-13.

Southern Christian suffered a grim 11-1 defeat to Evangel Christian when the teams last played back in March. Can the Patriots avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.