Softball Game Preview: Great Mills Hornets vs. La Plata Warriors

Great Mills hasn't had much luck against La Plata recently, but that could start to change on Friday. The Hornets will head out on the road to square off against the Warriors at 4:30 p.m. Great Mills has given up an average of 12.1 runs per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Great Mills is headed into Friday's contest looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their eighth straight game on Wednesday. They lost 13-0 to North Point. While getting shut out isn't ideal, the Hornets haven't been shut out since back in March.

Great Mills saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Claribel Davis, who went a perfect 1-for-1 with two stolen bases and one double.

Meanwhile, La Plata didn't have quite enough to beat Northern on Wednesday and fell 6-5. The Warriors haven't had much luck with the Patriots recently, as the team has come up short the last nine times they've met.

Rylee Dennison was a force to be reckoned with on the mound despite the final result: she didn't allow a single earned run over 5.1 innings pitched. What's more, she gave up only zero earned runs, the fewest she's had since back in March.

At the plate, Payton Buckler was cooking despite her team's loss, going 2-for-3 with one home run and three RBI. That home run marked the first that she has launched this season.

Great Mills' loss dropped their record down to 4-13. As for La Plata, their defeat dropped their record down to 9-7.

Friday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Great Mills has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .439. However, it's not like La Plata struggles in that department as they've averaged .472. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.

Great Mills suffered a grim 18-4 defeat to La Plata in their previous matchup back in May of 2024. Can the Hornets avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.