Softball Preview: Northwest Rankin Cougars vs. Petal Panthers
Northwest Rankin and Petal are an even 3-3 against one another since March of 2015, but likely not for long. The Northwest Rankin Cougars will stay at home for another game and welcome the Petal Panthers at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Last Monday, while Northwest Rankin put up some runs, the same can't be said for Brandon. Northwest Rankin blew past Brandon 10-0.
Grace Wallis made a splash while hitting and pitching. She pitched an inning while giving up no earned runs or hits (she also didn't allow any walks). Wallis has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two hits in four consecutive pitching appearances. Wallis was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 1-for-3.
In other batting news, Northwest Rankin let Carlee Tubbs and Brooke Smith loose on the outfield. Tubbs went 2-for-3 with four RBI, two runs, and a stolen base, while Smith scored two runs while going 3-for-3. Hannah Sullivan was another key contributor, scoring a run while going 2-for-3.
Meanwhile, Petal entered their tilt with Oak Grove with two consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with three. They were the clear victor by a 12-2 margin over the Warriors. 12 seems to be a good number for Petal as the team scooped up a win with the same number of runs in their previous game.
Like Northwest Rankin, Petal also got a great game from a two-way player: Jaley Weathersby. On the mound, she struck out seven batters over six innings while giving up just two earned runs off five hits (and only one walk). Weathersby was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with a double and an RBI.
In other batting news, Petal got a massive performance out of Taylor Foster, who went 1-for-3 with four RBI, two runs, and a double. Another player making a difference was Morgan Taylor, who went 3-for-4 with a stolen base, two RBI, and a double.
Northwest Rankin pushed their record up to 18-0 with that victory, which was their 27th straight at home dating back to last season. As for Petal, they are on a roll lately: they've won nine of their last 11 matches, which provided a nice bump to their 14-5 record this season.
Both the two teams just can't seem to miss. Northwest Rankin has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 11.4 hits per game. However, it's not like Petal struggles in that department as they've been averaging only 5.2. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Northwest Rankin took their win against Petal in their previous meeting back in March by a conclusive 14-2. Does Northwest Rankin have another victory up their sleeve, or will Petal turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
