Softball Game Preview: Pine Grove Panthers vs. Hickory Flat Rebels

For the second straight game, Pine Grove will face off against Hickory Flat. The Panthers will venture away from home to take on the Rebels at 12:00 p.m. on Friday. Pine Grove is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.1 runs per game this season.

Pine Grove is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Thursday. Their pitcher stepped up to hand Hickory Flat a 12-0 shutout. The win was a breath of fresh air for the Panthers as it put an end to their three-game losing streak.

Memory Mauney made a big impact no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run over four innings pitched. Mauney was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with two RBI and one run.

In other batting news, Lela Seawright was a standout: she got on base in two of her three plate appearances with two stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. Those two stolen bases gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Anaston Christian, who went 1-for-3 with three RBI, one run, and one double.

Pine Grove always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .536. They are a perfect 9-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.

Pine Grove now has a winning record of 14-13. As for Hickory Flat, they are on a 23-game losing streak (dating back to last season) that has dropped them down to 0-20.

Hickory Flat's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Pine Grove has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .446. It's a different story for Hickory Flat, though, as they've only averaged .339. Will they be able to contain Pine Grove's hitters? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.