Softball Game Preview: Falkner Eagles vs. Hickory Flat Rebels

The Falkner Eagles are packing up and heading out on the road for their first away game this season: they will square off against the Hickory Flat Rebels at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this matchup.

Falkner is leaving town to face Hickory Flat after disappointing their home crowd in their season opener. Falkner fell 20-15 to Alcorn Central on Friday. Sadly, the defeat continues a streak the team started last season, making it four in a row.

Ella Mauney and Mia McDaniel did some serious damage despite the final result: Mauney scored three runs and stole a base while getting on base in three of her five plate appearances, while McDaniel scored three runs while getting on base in three of her five plate appearances. The team also got some help courtesy of Emma Mauney, who scored two runs and stole two bases while getting on base in three of her five plate appearances.

Meanwhile, Hickory Flat was not able to break out of their rough patch on Monday as the team picked up their seventh straight loss dating back to last season. They came up short against Water Valley, falling 17-5. One positive for the Rebels, at least, is that this was the most points they've scored all season.

Laklin Williams was cooking despite her team's loss, scoring two runs and stealing three bases while going 2-for-2. Another player making a difference was Brooklyn Wright, who got on base in both of her plate appearances with one stolen base and one RBI.

Even though they lost, Hickory Flat always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .600. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Falkner suffered a grim 17-5 defeat to Hickory Flat when the teams last played back in March of 2022. Can Falkner avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.