Softball Game Preview: Wheatmore Warriors vs. Southwestern Randolph Cougars

Wheatmore is 1-9 against Southwestern Randolph since March of 2016 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Thursday. The Warriors will take on the Cougars at 6:30 p.m. Wheatmore has given up an average of 8.2 runs per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Wheatmore took a loss when they played away from home on April 8th, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed two weeks ago. They were the clear victors by a 17-11 margin over Eastern Randolph. The Warriors might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won six games by six runs or more this season.

Bella Dill was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she tossed six innings while giving up just one earned (and six unearned) runs off nine hits. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 12 consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in three of her five plate appearances with two runs. That's the most runs she has posted since back in March.

Kiayla Burnette

Runs Batted In (Career)

04/09/25 vs Eastern Randolph	4
02/27/25 vs Salisbury	2
04/25/24 vs Trinity	2
03/18/25 @ Eastern Randolph	1
03/07/25 @ West Davidson	1

In other batting news, Wheatmore got a massive performance out of Kiayla Burnette, who went 2-for-4 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs. Those four RBI gave Burnette a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Kyndal Kindley, who went 3-for-4 with four RBI and two runs.

Wheatmore always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .617. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Meanwhile, Southwestern Randolph waltzed into their matchup on Wednesday with seven straight wins... but they left with eight. Their pitchers stepped up to hand the Tigers a 5-0 shutout.

Southwestern Randolph pushed their record up to 14-2 with the win, which was their third straight at home. The home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 0.0 runs on average over those games. As for Wheatmore, they moved to 7-12 with that win, which also ended their three-game losing streak.

Wheatmore might still be hurting after the 10-0 loss they got from Southwestern Randolph in their previous matchup back in March. Can the Warriors avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.