Softball Game Preview: Columbia Tigers vs. Baker County Wildcats

The Columbia Tigers will head out to square off against the Baker County Wildcats at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Neither Columbia nor Baker County posted many runs in their last games, so it might be the pitching crews that decide this one.

Last Tuesday, Columbia didn't have quite enough to beat Gainesville and fell 2-1. The Tigers have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.

Columbia got a good showing from Kinley King, who didn't allow a single earned run over four innings pitched. Furthermore, King didn't allow a single earned run, the first time she has blanked an opponent since back in April of 2024.

Meanwhile, Baker County got themselves on the board against West Nassau on Tuesday, but West Nassau never followed suit. They won by a run and slipped past the Warriors 1-0. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Wildcats.

Baker County also got a great performance from Rylee Walker as she didn't allow a single earned run over eight innings pitched. Walker has been consistent : she hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Mallory Jackson, who got on base in three of her four plate appearances with one stolen base and one double.

Baker County's win bumped their record up to 15-4. As for Columbia, their loss dropped their record down to 12-9.

Columbia couldn't quite finish off Baker County when the teams last played back in February and fell 9-7. Can the Tigers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.