Softball Game Preview: Gates County Red Barons vs. Tarboro Vikings

For the second straight game, Gates County will face off against Tarboro. Gates County will challenge Tarboro at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Gates County is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.5 runs per game this season.

Gates County took a loss when they played away from home on Monday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Tuesday. They were the clear victors by a 19-1 margin over Tarboro. The win continues a trend for the Red Barons in their matchups with the Vikings: they've now won seven in a row.

Genia Askew and Kamryn Riddick made a splash no matter where they played. On the mound, Askew tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Riddick tossed two innings while giving up just one earned run off one hit. Askew has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances. At the plate, Askew scored a run and stole three bases while getting on base in all three of her plate appearances, while Riddick scored two runs and stole two bases while getting on base in both of her plate appearances. Those three stolen bases gave Askew a new career-high.

In other batting news, Lauren Ross was a standout: she went 1-for-2 with four RBI, two runs, and one triple. Those four RBI gave her a new career-high. Zoey Nowell was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing two bases while going 1-for-1.

Gates County always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .767. They are a perfect 5-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.

Gates County's victory was their first in the conference, bumping their conference record up to 1-2 and their overall record up to 5-6. As for Tarboro, they dropped their record down to 2-3 with the defeat, which was their 11th straight on the road dating back to last season.