Softball Game Preview: Blackford Bruins vs. Eastbrook Panthers

Blackford is 2-8 against Eastbrook since May of 2016 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Tuesday. The Bruins will square off against the Panthers at 5:00 p.m. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.

Blackford took a 14-run defeat the last time they faced off against Cowan, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Bruins came out on top in a nail-biter against the Blackhawks on Monday, sneaking past 3-2. That's two games straight that the Bruins have won by just one run.

Meanwhile, Eastbrook made easy work of Eastern on Saturday and carried off an 18-3 win. The result was nothing new for the Panthers, who have now won eight matchups by eight runs or more so far this season.

Olivia Legg made a splash while hitting and pitching. She pitched four innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off five hits. She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three runs and two RBI.

In other batting news, Averie Stephenson was a standout: she went a perfect 3-for-3 with five RBI, two runs, and one triple. Those five RBI gave her a new career-high. Gracie Elliott was another key player, getting on base in all four of her plate appearances with one home run and four RBI.

Eastbrook was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .615. They are a perfect 7-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.

Eastbrook has been performing well recently as they've won five of their last six contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 8-4 record this season. The victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 4.0 runs on average over those games. As for Blackford, the win got them back to even at 4-4.