Softball Game Preview: Shepherd Bluejays vs. Bullock Creek Lancers

The Shepherd Bluejays will venture away from home to challenge the Bullock Creek Lancers at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.

Shepherd's pitching crew heads into the contest hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Wednesday. They were the clear victors by a 19-0 margin over Harrison. The Bluejays haven't had any issues with the Hornets recently, as the game was their fifth consecutive victory against them.

Avery Veale made a splash no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out seven batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits (and only one walk). She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two hits in three consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one double and one RBI.

Jordan Schafer

Runs (Career)

05/14/25 vs Harrison	3
05/13/25 vs Gladwin	2
05/13/25 vs Gladwin	2
05/07/25 vs Standish-Sterling	2
04/29/25 @ Ogemaw Heights	2

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Jordan Schafer, who got on base in three of her four plate appearances with three runs, one triple, and one RBI. Those three runs gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Elise McDonald, who went 1-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.

Shepherd always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .704. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Bullock Creek never got on the board in their matchup on Friday, but that sure wasn't the case in their game against Beaverton on Tuesday. They put the hurt on the Beavers with a sharp 13-1 win.

Shepherd pushed their record up to 14-9 with the victory, which was their fourth straight at home. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 17.0 runs over those games. As for Bullock Creek, the victory got them back to even at 9-9.

Shepherd took their win against Bullock Creek in their previous matchup back in May of 2018 by a conclusive 7-1 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Bluejays since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.