Softball Game Preview: LaGrange Gators vs. DeRidder Dragons

LaGrange is 0-8 against DeRidder since March of 2016 but things could change on Tuesday. The LaGrange Gators will square off against the DeRidder Dragons at 5:30 p.m. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, the two teams will really light up the scoreboard.

LaGrange is headed into Tuesday's matchup looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their 15th straight game dating back to last season on Tuesday. They were a single run away from ending the streak, but they lost a 19-18 heartbreaker at the hands of Washington-Marion. While the Gators didn't get the win, they did start the game off strong, beating the Charging Indians 9-3 in the first period.

Meanwhile, DeRidder was not the first on the board on Friday, but they got there more often. They came out on top against Pitkin by a score of 10-5. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Dragons.

Laila Roberson made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out ten batters over seven innings while giving up three earned (and two unearned) runs off seven hits. That's the most strikeouts she has posted since back in April of 2024. She was also big at the plate, going 1-for-4 with two RBI.

In other batting news, DeRidder got a big performance out of Hailey Johnson, who scored a run and stole a base while getting on base in two of her five plate appearances. Demi Burks was another key player, scoring a run while getting on base in three of her five plate appearances.

DeRidder's record now sits at 6-9. As for LaGrange, their loss dropped their record down to 0-3.

LaGrange might still be hurting after the 13-1 defeat they got from DeRidder when the teams last played back in April of 2024. Can LaGrange avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.