Softball Game Preview: Hoggard Vikings vs. Willow Spring Storm

The Hoggard Vikings will challenge the Willow Spring Storm on Tuesday. Both teams are coming into the matchup red-hot, with Hoggard sitting on four straight wins and Willow Spring on 19.

Hoggard is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They narrowly escaped with a victory as the team sidled past Wakefield 9-8.

Sydney Perry

Batters Struck Out

03/11/26 vs South Iredell	2
03/17/26 @ South Brunswick	3
04/24/26 @ Laney	4
03/04/26 @ Garner	6
03/06/26 @ Midway	6

Sydney Perry spent all ten innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered five earned (and three unearned) runs on ten hits and racked up 16 Ks. Those 16 strikeouts set a new season-high mark for her.

At the plate, Hoggard let Sophie Gee and Chloe Gallagher run wild. Gee got on base in four of her five plate appearances with one home run, three RBI, and two runs, while Gallagher got on base in five of her six plate appearances with three runs, three RBI, and one stolen base. That's the most runs Gallagher has posted since back in February. The team also got some help courtesy of Mack Cuba, who went 2-for-3 with two runs.

Hoggard kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. They are 7-1 when they post 11 or more hits.

Meanwhile, Willow Spring got the win against Green Hope on Friday by a conclusive 8-2. The result was nothing new for the Storm, who have now won 13 games by six runs or more so far this season.

Hoggard's win bumped their record up to 13-8. As for Willow Spring, their victory bumped their record up to 21-1.

Hoggard was able to grind out a solid win over Willow Spring in their previous matchup back in May of 2022, winning 9-5. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Vikings since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.