Softball Game Preview: Bartow Yellow Jackets vs. Oakleaf Knights

The Bartow Yellow Jackets will be taking part in a tournament against the Oakleaf Knights at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. The timing is sure in Bartow's favor as the squad sits on three straight wins at home while Oakleaf has been banged up by three consecutive losses on the road.

Last Friday, Bartow made easy work of Sebring and carried off an 11-3 win. The result was nothing new for the Yellow Jackets, who have now won nine contests by seven runs or more so far this season.

Meanwhile, Oakleaf suffered their biggest defeat since April 5, 2024 on Thursday. They came up short against Fleming Island, falling 8-1.

Charlotte Maddox spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and five unearned) runs on eight hits and racked up nine Ks.

On the hitting side, Oakleaf saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Alexis Fisher, who scored a run while getting on base in all three of her plate appearances.

Bartow is on a roll lately: they've won seven of their last eight matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 13-3 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.0 runs over those games. Oakleaf now has a losing record of 6-7.

Bartow beat Oakleaf 6-3 in their previous matchup back in April of 2023. Does Bartow have another victory up their sleeve, or will Oakleaf turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.