Softball Game Preview: Harker Heights Knights vs. Bryan Vikings

The Harker Heights Knights will head out on the road to square off against the Bryan Vikings at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Harker Heights is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.2 runs per game this season.

Harker Heights took a loss when they played away from home on Friday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Tuesday. They blew past Killeen 24-0. The high-scoring effort was just what the Knights needed considering they were shut out in their previous game.

Gabrielle Simmons made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out nine over four innings pitched. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in nine consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBI. That's the most hits she has posted since back in March of 2024.

In other batting news, Brianna Warriner and Alexis Newlin did most of the damage at the plate: Warriner went 3-for-4 with three stolen bases, four RBI, and two runs, while Newlin scored four runs and stole three bases while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances. That's the most hits Warriner has posted since back in February. Kamryn Gross was another key player, getting on base in all four of her plate appearances with one home run, four runs, and two RBI.

Harker Heights kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 19 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in four consecutive matchups.

Meanwhile, after soaring to 15 runs the game before, Bryan was a bit more limited in their contest on Tuesday. They lost 15-0 to Copperas Cove. The loss continues a trend for the Vikings in their meetings with the Bulldawgs: they've now lost six in a row.

Harker Heights' record now sits at 18-8. As for Bryan, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-13.

Everything went Harker Heights' way against Bryan in their previous meeting back in March, as Harker Heights made off with a 17-2 victory. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Knights since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.