Softball Game Preview: Russell County Lakers vs. Clinton County Bulldogs

Russell County and Clinton County are an even 5-5 against one another since April of 2017, but likely not for long. The Lakers will take on the Bulldogs at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.

On Wednesday, Russell County made easy work of Monroe County and carried off a 12-2 victory. The Lakers haven't had any issues with the Falcons recently, as the game was their seventh consecutive win against them.

Brylie Hardwick spent all six innings played on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned runs on three hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one walk in 11 consecutive appearances.

Rylen McGowan

Runs Batted In (Career)

05/07/25 vs Monroe County	5
04/17/25 vs Metcalfe County	4
04/01/25 vs Adair County	4
04/07/25 @ Middlesboro	3
03/31/25 vs Wayne County	3

On the hitting side, Rylen McGowan was incredible, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with one home run, five RBI, and two runs. Those five RBI gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Addy Abrell, who went 3-for-5 with three runs, one double, and one RBI.

Russell County kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 18 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.

Meanwhile, Clinton County had already won two in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 4 runs) and they went ahead and made it three on Tuesday. They never let the Falcons get on the board and left with a 15-0 victory.

Clinton County's win was their third straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 22-7. The road victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 15.7 runs over those games. As for Russell County, they now have a winning record of 13-12.

Russell County suffered a grim 11-4 defeat to Clinton County when the teams last played two weeks ago. Can the Lakers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.