Softball Game Preview: Plano Reapers vs. Newark Norsemen

The Plano Reapers will head out on the road to take on the Newark Norsemen at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Plano is coming into the matchup on a four-game losing streak.

Plano came up short against Johnsburg on Thursday, falling 21-7.

Taylor Downs made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 3-for-4 with one stolen base and one RBI. Bri Clark also deserves some recognition as she hit her first double of the season.

Coal City typically has all the answers at home, but on Thursday Newark proved too difficult a challenge. They had just enough and edged out the Coalers 9-7. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Norsemen.

Rylie Carlson was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. Carlson was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.

Carlson wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Kate Bromeland, who went 1-for-3 with one run and one RBI.

Newark's record is now 12-14-2. As for Plano, their loss dropped their record down to 6-16-1.

Plano suffered a grim 16-0 defeat to Newark in their previous meeting back in May of 2024. Can the Reapers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.