Softball Preview: Gering Bulldogs vs. Bayard Tigers
The Gering Bulldogs will venture away from home to take on the Bayard Tigers on Tuesday. The two teams are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.
Gering took a loss when they played away from home on Saturday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Tuesday. They were the clear victor by a 14-2 margin over Chadron. The high-scoring effort was just what the Bulldogs needed considering they were shutout in their previous match.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Bayard). They were the clear victor by an 18-6 margin over Gothenburg on Thursday. The result was nothing new for the Tigers, who have now won four matchups by 11 runs or more so far this season.
Haley Edmunds was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching five innings while giving up just one earned (and five unearned) runs off four hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't pitched less than five innings in four consecutive pitching appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in three of her five plate appearances with a double and an RBI.
In other batting news, Bayard got a massive performance out of Shayleigh West, who scored three runs and stole four bases while going 4-for-4. The dominant performance gave West a new career-high in hits. Another player making a difference was Jenna Flores, who scored three runs and stole two bases while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, Bayard always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .722. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Gering's victory ended a five-game drought at home dating back to last season and bumped them up to 6-7. As for Bayard, their record now sits at 5-7-1.
Everything went Gering's way against Bayard in their previous meeting back in September of 2023 as Gering made off with a 13-1 win. Does Gering have another victory up their sleeve, or will Bayard turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
