Softball Game Preview: Hartsville Red Foxes vs. Lower Richland Diamond Hornets

The Hartsville Red Foxes are taking a road trip to challenge the Lower Richland Diamond Hornets at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Hartsville is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 10.4 runs per game this season.

Hartsville will roll into the contest after a wild two-game stretch: they didn't score any runs on Tuesday, then bounced right back against Dillon on Thursday. Hartsville blew past Dillon 10-3. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest victory the Red Foxes have posted against the Wildcats since April 11, 2018.

Allie Bailey looked comfortable as she didn't allow a single earned run over four innings pitched. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks any time she's pitched this season.

On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Carter Shumate, who went 2-for-4 with three runs, one triple, and two RBI. That's the most RBI she has posted over her last 13 games. Aliyah Smith was another key player, scoring a run while going 3-for-4.

Meanwhile, Lower Richland was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their tenth straight loss dating back to last season. They lost 19-1 to Darlington.

Hartsville has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won six of their last seven matches. That's provided a nice bump to their 10-4 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.7 runs on average over those games. Lower Richland's defeat dropped their record down to 0-6.

Lower Richland's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Hartsville has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .499. It's a different story for Lower Richland, though, as they've only averaged .036. Will they be able to contain Hartsville's hitters?

Hartsville took their victory against Lower Richland in their previous matchup two weeks ago by a conclusive 18-0. The rematch might be a little tougher for Hartsville since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.