Softball Game Preview: Perkins Pirates vs. Oak Harbor Rockets

The Perkins Pirates will square off against the Oak Harbor Rockets at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Both teams took a loss in their last game, so they'll have plenty of motivation to get the 'W'.

Perkins easily dispatched Willard on Monday, but unfortunately both the margin and the ultimate result were a different story in this one. The Pirates fell just short of Columbian by a score of 9-7 on Wednesday. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest defeat the Pirates have suffered since May 7, 2024.

Caden McClellan spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered five earned (and four unearned) runs on 13 hits and racked up nine Ks. She has been consistent : she hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, Avery Baker was cooking despite her team's loss, scoring three runs and stealing a base while going 1-for-3. Another player making a difference was Aubrey Ransom, who scored a run while going 2-for-4.

Meanwhile, Oak Harbor unfortunately witnessed the end of their six-game winning streak on Wednesday. They came up short against Otsego, falling 14-0. The pitching woes were uncharacteristic for the Rockets, who until this matchup were averaging 3.38 runs allowed.

Oak Harbor's loss dropped their record down to 6-2. As for Perkins, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-5.

Perkins skirted past Oak Harbor 7-6 in their previous matchup back in April of 2023. Will the Pirates repeat their success, or do the Rockets have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.