Softball Game Preview: Ocean Lakes Dolphins vs. Great Bridge Wildcats

The Ocean Lakes Dolphins will square off against the Great Bridge Wildcats at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Ocean Lakes is coming into the contest hot, having won their last seven games.

Ocean Lakes is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Thursday. They sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 5-3 win over Deep Creek.

Meanwhile, Great Bridge faced Hickory in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Wednesday. The Wildcats skirted past the Hawks 6-4. The game was the first time the Wildcats have beaten the Hawks on their field since May 12, 2022.

Bailey Bliven spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and one unearned) runs on five hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, Gabbie Kleier was incredible, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. That's the most runs she has posted since back in April. Hannah Ferrell was another key player, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with three runs.

The victory made it two in a row for Great Bridge and bumps their season record up to 17-6. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered a grand total of 5 runs in those games. As for Ocean Lakes, their victory bumped their record up to 17-4.

Ocean Lakes skirted past Great Bridge 1-0 when the teams last played last Thursday. Do the Dolphins have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Wildcats turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.