Softball Game Preview: Union County Patriots vs. Eastern Hancock Royals

The Union County Patriots are taking a road trip to square off against the Eastern Hancock Royals at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Neither of those teams managed to put together many runs in their previous contests, so the offenses might be a little more motivated than usual.

Tuesday just wasn't the day for Union County's offense. They took a 3-0 hit to the loss column at the hands of Tri on Tuesday. The Patriots' defeat signaled the end of their four-game winning streak.

The home team had won the previous three meetings between Eastern Hancock and Frankton, and Frankton kept the tradition alive. The Royals fell 6-2 to the Eagles on Wednesday. Like the Patriots, the Royals also had to let a streak go: they had won five straight, but that streak is no more.

Eastern Hancock got a good showing from McKenna Stewart, who pitched four innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits. Stewart has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks any time she's pitched this season.

At the plate, Eastern Hancock saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Nieko Engleking, who went 2-for-3 with two runs.

Union County's loss dropped their record down to 7-7. As for Eastern Hancock, they suffered their first road defeat, dropping their record down to 9-7.

Union County couldn't quite get it done against Eastern Hancock in their previous matchup back in May of 2024 as they fell 4-0. Can the Patriots avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.