Softball Game Preview: DeSoto County Bulldogs vs. Gateway Eagles

The DeSoto County Bulldogs will challenge the Gateway Eagles at 6:30 p.m. on Monday. The teams are on pretty different trajectories at the moment (DeSoto County has five straight wins, Gateway has three straight defeats), but none of that matters once you're on the field.

On Friday, DeSoto County got the win against Braden River by a conclusive 15-9. The result was nothing new for the Bulldogs, who have now won five matchups by six runs or more so far this season.

Caleigh Jo Duke was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off four hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in four consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, scoring three runs and stealing a base while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances. Those three runs gave her a new career-high.

Ellie Whidden

Hits (Career)

04/04/25 @ Braden River	4
03/28/25 @ Gateway	2
02/28/25 vs Cape Coral	2
02/20/25 @ Frostproof	2
04/01/25 vs Babcock	1

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Ellie Whidden, who went 4-for-5 with four runs, five RBI, and one triple. Those four hits gave her a new career-high. Emery Skinner was another key player, scoring three runs while going 3-for-5.

DeSoto County was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .421. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Braden River only posted a batting average of .286.

Meanwhile, Gateway lost 11-5 to Babcock on Thursday.

DeSoto County pushed their record up to 8-5 with the victory, which was their fourth straight on the road. The road wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 13.8 runs over those games. As for Gateway, they now have a losing record of 6-7.

DeSoto County took their victory against Gateway in their previous matchup last Friday by a conclusive 17-2 score. Do the Bulldogs have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Eagles turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.