Softball Game Preview: Melbourne Bulldogs vs. Palm Beach Gardens Gators

Melbourne is on a three-game streak of home wins, while Palm Beach Gardens is on a four-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The Bulldogs will welcome the Gators at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. The last three games Melbourne has played have been within two runs, so don't be surprised if it's a close one.

Melbourne is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Thursday. They sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 4-3 win over Viera. That's two games straight that the Bulldogs have won by just one run.

Brooklynn Steidl

Batters Struck Out

05/01/25 vs Viera	10
04/29/25 vs Osceola	7
04/23/25 vs Osceola	2
04/21/25 vs Lake Mary	8
04/18/25 @ Rockledge	3
+ 17 more games

Brooklynn Steidl spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned (and one unearned) runs on four hits and racked up ten Ks. With that strong performance, she is now averaging an impressive 5.1 strikeouts per game.

On the hitting side, Melbourne saw seven different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Hailey Cottrill, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI. That's the most RBI Cottrill has posted since back in March. Brookelynn Dolin was another, going 2-for-4 with two runs.

They weren't the only ones making solid contact: Melbourne kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. They are a perfect 4-0 when they post 11 or more hits.

Meanwhile, Palm Beach Gardens suffered their closest defeat since February 21st on Thursday. They fell just short of Dwyer by a score of 5-3.

Shea Towns was a force to be reckoned with on the mound despite the final result: she struck out seven batters over five innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits (and only one walk). She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in eight consecutive appearances.

Palm Beach Gardens' loss dropped their record down to 18-7. As for Melbourne, their victory bumped their record up to 15-12.

Melbourne was able to grind out a solid win over Palm Beach Gardens in their previous matchup back in April of 2022, winning 5-1. Will the Bulldogs repeat their success, or do the Gators have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.