Softball Game Preview: Southampton Academy Raiders vs. Halifax Academy Vikings

The Southampton Academy Raiders will square off against the Halifax Academy Vikings at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. The two teams are strolling into their matchups after big wins in their previous games.

Southampton Academy will roll into the game after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up two runs on Thursday, then bounced right back against Windsor on Friday. Southampton Academy put the hurt on Windsor with a sharp 10-2 win. The result was nothing new for the Raiders, who have now won three contests by eight runs or more so far this season.

Dutchess Rose spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered two runs (both of which were unearned) on seven hits and racked up seven Ks.

At the plate, the team relied heavily on Sara Hodges, who scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-3. Another player making a difference was Kelsey Braun, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-4.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Halifax Academy). They blew past Pungo Christian Academy 18-3 on Friday. The victory was some much needed relief for the Vikings as it spelled an end to their four-game losing streak.

Halifax Academy got a massive performance out of Maddy Bethel, who got on base in all four of her plate appearances with four RBI and two runs. Those four RBI gave Bethel a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Hayden Barlow, who scored three runs while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances.

Halifax Academy always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .667. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Halifax Academy's win bumped their record up to 4-7-1. As for Southampton Academy, their victory bumped their record up to 3-4-1.

Halifax Academy's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Southampton Academy has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .479. It's a different story for Halifax Academy, though, as they've only averaged .353. Will they be able to contain Southampton Academy's hitters? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more softball content.