Softball Game Preview: Freedom Patriots vs. Strawberry Crest Chargers

The Freedom Patriots will take on the Strawberry Crest Chargers at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Freedom has given up an average of 14.8 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Freedom is headed into Tuesday's game looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their fourth straight game on Thursday. They lost 16-5 to Spoto.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Strawberry Crest). They were the clear victors by a 21-1 margin over Armwood on Thursday. The Chargers have beaten the Hawks the last four times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Hawks has come to flipping the script.

Katelyn Watts made a splash while hitting and pitching. She didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out 12 over seven innings pitched. Those 12 strikeouts gave her a new career-high. She was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring five runs and stealing a base while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances. She also hit a double, marking her first of the season.

In other batting news, Kennedy Shea was incredible, going 4-for-5 with three stolen bases, eight RBI, and four runs. That's the most stolen bases she has posted since back in April of 2024. Another player making a difference was Destiny Bryant, who scored five runs and stole a base while going 4-for-5.

Strawberry Crest always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .542. They are 3-1 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.

Strawberry Crest's victory bumped their record up to 5-9. As for Freedom, their loss dropped their record down to 2-10.

Freedom came out on top in a nail-biter against Strawberry Crest in their previous meeting back in April of 2019, sneaking past 3-2. Will the Patriots repeat their success, or do the Chargers have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.