Softball Game Preview: West Columbus Vikings vs. East Bladen Eagles

For the second straight game, West Columbus will face off against East Bladen. The Vikings will venture away from home to square off against the Eagles at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. The teams are rolling into the game with opposing streaks: West Columbus has struggled recently with five defeats in a row, while East Bladen will arrive with four straight wins.

West Columbus lost 10-1 to East Bladen on Tuesday.

For East Bladen's part, Gracie Edwards spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned run on six hits and racked up six Ks. Edwards has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive appearances.

At the plate, Gabriella Bray was a standout: she scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-3. She also hit a double, marking her first of the season. Another player making a difference was Martha Simmons, who scored two runs and stole three bases while going 2-for-5.

The victory got East Bladen back to even at 5-5. As for West Columbus, their loss dropped their record down to 2-8.

East Bladen's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: West Columbus has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9.7 hits per game. It's a different story for East Bladen, though, as they've been averaging 9.2 hits. Given West Columbus' sizable advantage in that area, the Eagles will need to find a way to close that gap. Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other softball content.