Softball Game Preview: Plano Reapers vs. Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats

Plano is 0-3 against Anna-Jonesboro since March of 2019 but things could change on Friday. Plano will venture away from home to face off against Anna-Jonesboro at 4:30 p.m.

On Thursday, Plano came up short against Harrisburg and fell 10-5.

Lindsey Cocks stepped up to lead a balanced group of hitters: she scored two runs and stole two bases while going 2-for-3. The team also got some help courtesy of Taylor Downs, who scored a run and stole three bases while going 2-for-3.

Meanwhile, Anna-Jonesboro put another one in the bag on Wednesday to keep their perfect season alive. They were the clear victors by a 22-1 margin over Scott City. The result was nothing new for the Wildcats, who have now won six contests by six runs or more so far this season.

Macayla Nance tossed a big game, striking out ten batters over five innings while giving up just one earned run off one hit.

At the plate, Anna-Jonesboro let Kansas Craig and Jayci Needling run wild. Craig scored five runs and stole a base while going 5-for-5, while Needling went a perfect 5-for-5 with four runs, five RBI, and one double. That's the most runs Needling has posted since back in April of 2024. Carley Pearson also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.

Anna-Jonesboro hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now struck out at most four strikeouts in 15 consecutive matchups dating back to last season.

Plano now has a losing record of 1-2. As for Anna-Jonesboro, they pushed their record up to 7-0 with the win, which was their ninth straight on the road dating back to last season.

Plano might still be hurting after the 15-0 loss they got from Anna-Jonesboro in their previous meeting back in March of 2024. Can Plano avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.