Softball Game Preview: Newport Greyhounds vs. Walnut Ridge Bobcats

The Newport Greyhounds will head out to square off against the Walnut Ridge Bobcats at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. The teams are rolling into the game with opposing streaks: Newport has struggled recently with nine defeats in a row, while Walnut Ridge will arrive with four straight victories.

Newport lost 18-3 to Hoxie on Tuesday.

Newport saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Emma Toddy, who scored a run while going 1-for-2. Eliza Rodriguez also deserves some recognition as she hit her first double of the season.

Meanwhile, Walnut Ridge beat Rivercrest 9-5 on Tuesday.

Ashtyn Bradley spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered four earned (and one unearned) runs on five hits and racked up 12 Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than eight strikeouts any time she's pitched this season.

On the hitting side, Karlee Broadway was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing a base while going 4-for-4. Those four hits gave her a new career-high. Bailei Hudson was another key player, scoring a run while going 1-for-4.

Walnut Ridge's win bumped their record up to 9-3. As for Newport, their loss dropped their record down to 0-8.

Newport might still be hurting after the 17-0 defeat they got from Walnut Ridge when the teams last played back in March. Can the Greyhounds avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.