Softball Game Preview: Sevier County Smoky Bears vs. Eagleton College & Career Academy Royals

The Sevier County Smoky Bears will face off against the Eagleton College & Career Academy Royals at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Sevier County is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.3 runs per game this season.

Sevier County is headed into Tuesday's game looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their third straight game on Friday. They were a single run away from ending the streak, but they lost a 10-9 heartbreaker at the hands of Grainger.

Jade Hubbard was huge no matter where she played even without the win. On the mound, she pitched ten innings while giving up just two earned (and six unearned) runs off 14 hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing a base while getting on base in three of her six plate appearances.

In other batting news, Miley Parton made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and scored two runs and stole a base while going 3-for-4. Another player making a difference was Maddie Clabo, who scored two runs while going 1-for-3.

Meanwhile, Eagleton College & Career Academy won against King's Academy on Tuesday with 17 runs and they decided to stick to that run total again on Thursday. Eagleton College & Career Academy blew past Gatlinburg-Pittman 17-1. The Royals haven't had any issues with the Highlanders recently, as the game was their fifth consecutive win against them.

Eagleton College & Career Academy's victory was their third straight at home, which pushed their record up to 8-8-1. A key ingredient in that success has been their performance when it comes to hits: they averaged an imposing 10.67 hits in those games compared to only 5.43 in the others. As for Sevier County, their defeat dropped their record down to 4-8.

Tuesday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Sevier County hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .332. However, it's not like Eagleton College & Career Academy struggles in that department as they've averaged .314. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.

Sevier County beat Eagleton College & Career Academy 6-2 in their previous matchup back in May of 2024. Will Sevier County repeat their success, or does Eagleton College & Career Academy has a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.