Softball Game Preview: Southern Nash Firebirds vs. Roanoke Rapids Yellowjackets

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Previous Games

04/01/25 - Away	6-2 W
03/06/25 - Home	5-0 W
05/02/24 - Home	3-0 W
04/09/24 - Home	2-0 W
03/11/24 - Away	6-1 W
+ 5 more games

Southern Nash is 8-2 against Roanoke Rapids since March of 2022 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Thursday. The Firebirds will be playing in front of their home fans against the Yellowjackets at 6:00 p.m. Both teams are coming into the match red-hot, with Southern Nash sitting on 20 straight wins and Roanoke Rapids on three.

Southern Nash's pitching crew heads into the game hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Tuesday. Everything went their way against Franklinton as they made off with an 8-0 victory. Considering the Firebirds have won 17 contests by more than five runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.

The home team had won the previous two meetings between Roanoke Rapids and Bunn, and Roanoke Rapids kept the tradition alive. The Yellowjackets walked away with a 5-2 win over the Wildcats on Tuesday.

Madison Jones made a splash no matter where she played. She struck out six batters over seven innings while giving up just two earned runs off seven hits (and not a single walk). She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with three RBI, two doubles, and one run. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in April of 2024.

In other batting news, Shandi Byrum was excellent, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one stolen base and one RBI. That's the most hits she has posted since back in March. Maecy Garriss was another key player, going 2-for-4 with one stolen base and one run.

Roanoke Rapids hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. The team has now struck out at least three batters in six consecutive matchups.

Southern Nash pushed their record up to 20-0 with the victory, which was their 13th straight at home. The home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 0.0 runs on average over those games. As for Roanoke Rapids, their victory bumped their record up to 14-4.

Southern Nash was able to grind out a solid win over Roanoke Rapids in their previous matchup back in April, winning 6-2. Will the Firebirds repeat their success, or do the Yellowjackets have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.