Softball Game Preview: Boaz Pirates vs. Sardis Lions

Boaz hasn't had much luck against Sardis recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. The Pirates will venture away from home to face off against the Lions at 4:30 p.m. The last five games Boaz has played have been within two runs, so don't be surprised if it's a close one.

Boaz hadn't beaten Fort Payne on the road since February 23, 2018 but that history sure didn't bother them on Tuesday. The Pirates sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 7-6 victory over the Wildcats.

Bailey Lusk was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching 3.2 innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits. Lusk was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with one double and one RBI.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Grier Maples, who scored two runs while going 4-for-4. That's the most runs she has posted over her last 12 contests. Another player making a difference was Ava Rhoden, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-4.

Boaz always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .588. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Fort Payne only posted an OBP of .371.

Meanwhile, Sardis came tearing into Monday's match with seven straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 8.1 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They beat the Knights by the very same score they won with in their prior game: 3-2.

Sardis pushed their record up to 23-10 with the win, which was their eighth straight on the road. Those road victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.4 runs on average over those games. As for Boaz, their record now sits at 20-7-1.

Boaz couldn't quite get it done against Sardis in their previous matchup last Tuesday as they fell 5-2. Can the Pirates avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.