Softball Game Preview: Rock Ridge Phoenix vs. Heritage Pride

For the second straight game, Rock Ridge will face off against Heritage. The Phoenix will look to defend their home field on Thursday against the Pride at 6:30 p.m. Rock Ridge has a tough task ahead: they'll enter the contest with five straight defeats, while Heritage will come in with three straight wins.

Rock Ridge lost 9-1 to Heritage on Tuesday.

For Heritage's part, Gabbie Haynie made a splash while hitting and pitching. She struck out seven batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits (and only one walk). Haynie 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 2-for-4 with two runs and one RBI. That's the most runs she has posted since back in April.

In other batting news, Heritage got a massive performance out of Audrey Ellison, who went 3-for-4 with three RBI, one run, and one double. Those three RBI gave Ellison a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Noelle Smith, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, one double, and one RBI.

Heritage kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 15 hits. They are a perfect 5-0 when they post 11 or more hits.

Heritage's victory was their fifth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 11-7. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.4 runs on average over those games. As for Rock Ridge, their loss dropped their record down to 6-13.