Softball Game Preview: Eastbrook Panthers vs. Blackford Bruins

Eastbrook is 8-2 against Blackford since May of 2016 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Tuesday. The Panthers will host the Bruins at 5:00 p.m. Eastbrook is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 10.8 runs per game this season.

On Saturday, Eastbrook made easy work of Eastern and carried off an 18-3 victory. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Panthers.

Olivia Legg was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she tossed four innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off five hits. The dominant performance also gave her a new career-high in strikeouts (five). She was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with three runs and two RBI.

Averie Stephenson

Hits (Career)

04/26/25 vs Eastern	3
04/09/25 @ Northwestern	2
04/21/25 vs Northfield	1
04/12/25 @ Lakeland	1
04/12/25 @ Bremen	1

In other batting news, Eastbrook got a massive performance out of Averie Stephenson, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with five RBI, two runs, and one triple. Those three hits gave Stephenson a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Gracie Elliott, who got on base in all four of her plate appearances with one home run and four RBI.

Eastbrook kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 16 hits. They are 7-1 when they post 11 or more hits.

Meanwhile, it was close, but on Monday Blackford sidestepped Cowan for a 3-2 win. That's two games straight that the Bruins have won by just one run.

Eastbrook's victory bumped their record up to 8-4. As for Blackford, the win got them back to even at 4-4.

Eastbrook came out on top in a nail-biter against Blackford in their previous matchup back in May of 2024, sneaking past 4-3. Do the Panthers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Bruins turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.