Softball Game Preview: Anderson County Mavericks vs. Hardin Valley Academy Hawks

The Anderson County Mavericks will face off against the Hardin Valley Academy Hawks at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Anderson County will be strutting in after a victory while Hardin Valley Academy will be coming in after a loss.

While Anderson County didn't have the best season last year (they finished 10-21), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They won by a run and slipped past Wartburg Central 2-1. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Mavericks.

Addison Grooms spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned run on five hits.

Meanwhile, Hardin Valley Academy was not able to break out of their rough patch on Thursday as the team picked up their fourth straight defeat. They were two runs away from ending the streak, but they lost a 9-7 heartbreaker at the hands of Maryville. One positive for the Hawks, at least, is that this was the most points they've scored all season.

Emma Kate Schneider made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 2-for-4 with one home run, one stolen base, and two RBI. That home run marked the first that she launched this season.

Even though they lost, Hardin Valley Academy was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .375. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.

Anderson County's win was their fifth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 7-4. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.2 runs on average over those games. As for Hardin Valley Academy, their loss dropped their record down to 1-9.

Anderson County skirted past Hardin Valley Academy 5-3 when the teams last played back in April of 2023. Does Anderson County have another victory up their sleeve, or will Hardin Valley Academy turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.