Softball Game Preview: Hoggard Vikings vs. Topsail Pirates

The Hoggard Vikings will head out on the road to square off against the Topsail Pirates at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Hoggard is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.9 runs per game this season.

Last Tuesday, Hoggard got the win against Ashley by a conclusive 14-1. The Vikings might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won three games by 11 runs or more this season.

Macey Ciamillo

Batters Struck Out

03/25/25 @ Ashley	7
03/20/25 vs Laney	8
03/18/25 vs West Brunswick	5
03/14/25 @ North Brunswick	5
03/11/25 @ South Brunswick	7
+ 3 more games

Macey Ciamillo was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out seven over five innings pitched. She has been consistent : she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts any time she's pitched this season. She was also big at the plate, scoring three runs while going 2-for-3. She also hit a double, marking her first of the season.

In other batting news, Sami Hoemann and Sophie Gee did most of the damage at the plate: Hoemann scored three runs while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances, while Gee scored three runs while going 3-for-4. That's the most runs Hoemann has posted since back in March of 2024. Olivia Demetriou was another key player, scoring two runs while going 2-for-4.

Hoggard always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .559. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Ashley only posted an OBP of .105.

Meanwhile, Topsail can bid farewell to their four-game losing streak thanks to their game on Wednesday. They walked away with a 10-7 win over New Bern. Topsail's victory was all the more impressive since the Bears were averaging only three runs allowed on the season.

Hoggard is on a roll lately: they've won three of their last four matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 5-3 record this season. A key ingredient in that success has been their performance when it comes to hits: they averaged an imposing 9.5 hits in those games compared to only five in the others. The win got Topsail back to even at 4-4.

Hoggard suffered a grim 13-3 defeat to Topsail in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Can Hoggard avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.