Softball Game Preview: DeLand Bulldogs vs. South Sumter Raiders

Bulldogs

Runs

03/28/25 @ Atlantic	23
03/27/25 vs New Smyrna Beach	7
03/25/25 @ Seabreeze	14
03/24/25 @ Matanzas	2
03/11/25 @ New Smyrna Beach	12
+ 8 more games

The DeLand Bulldogs will head out to face off against the South Sumter Raiders at 7:00 p.m. on Monday. DeLand is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.3 runs per game this season.

DeLand gave up the first runs last Friday, but they didn't let that get them down. They were the clear victors by a 23-3 margin over Atlantic. The victory continues a trend for the Bulldogs in their matchups with the Sharks: they've now won seven in a row.

Hailey Whidden made a splash no matter where she played. She struck out seven batters over three innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off three hits (and only one walk). She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in nine consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring three runs while going 2-for-4. She also hit a double, marking her first of the season.

In other batting news, Payton Mathis was incredible, getting on base in all four of her plate appearances with one home run, four runs, and four RBI. That's the most runs she has posted since back in April of 2024. Another player making a difference was De-Niya Padgett, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 1-for-2.

DeLand always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .625. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Meanwhile, after only two runs in their last game, South Sumter made sure to put some runs up on the board against Lake Weir on Saturday. South Sumter came out on top against Lake Weir by a score of 10-6.

South Sumter's record is now 10-6. As for DeLand, they now have a winning record of 7-6.

DeLand couldn't quite get it done against South Sumter when the teams last played back in February as they fell 9-6. Can DeLand avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.