Softball Game Preview: Nazareth Area Blue Eagles vs. Emmaus Hornets

The Nazareth Area Blue Eagles will head out to face off against the Emmaus Hornets at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, the two teams will really light up the scoreboard.

Nazareth Area is headed out to face Emmaus after opening their season at home and giving their fans just what they were looking for. Nazareth Area never let Freedom get on the board and left with a 10-0 win on Wednesday. Winning may never get old, but the Blue Eagles sure are getting used to it with their fifth in a row dating back to last season.

The result came thanks to Kylie Grover's shutout, as she gave up just five hits.

On the hitting side, Nazareth Area let Gianna Perillo and Alina Weaver run wild. Perillo fired off two home runs and four RBI while going 2-for-3, while Weaver went a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. Another player making a difference was Taylor Friel, who scored a run while going 3-for-4.

Meanwhile, Emmaus got the win against Allentown Central Catholic on Monday by a conclusive 15-0.

Taylor Hauver and Abigail Derr did most of the damage at the plate: Hauver got on base in all three of her plate appearances with four RBI, two runs, and one triple, while Derr scored two runs while going 2-for-2. Those four RBI gave Hauver a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Sydney Bennett, who scored two runs while getting on base in both of her plate appearances.

Emmaus was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .462. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .310 or higher in four consecutive matches dating back to last season.

Nazareth Area skirted past Emmaus 11-10 in their previous meeting back in March of 2024. The rematch might be a little tougher for Nazareth Area since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.