Softball Game Preview: Mena Bearcats vs. Clarksville Panthers

Mena is a perfect 3-0 against Clarksville since April of 2023 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Friday. The Bearcats will challenge the Panthers at 4:30 p.m. The teams are on pretty different trajectories at the moment (Mena has nine straight wins, Clarksville has four straight defeats), but none of that matters once you're on the field.

On Thursday, Mena needed a bit of extra time to put away Nashville. They won by a run and slipped past the Scrappers 4-3.

Abi Koppein

Runs Batted In (Career)

04/10/25 vs Nashville	4
04/01/25 @ Waldron	3
03/18/25 vs Clarksville	3
04/08/25 vs Ozark	1
03/04/25 vs Lavaca	1

Abi Koppein was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over eight innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off ten hits (and only one walk). She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts any time she's pitched this season. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with four RBI. Those four RBI gave her a new career-high.

Koppein wasn't the only one making solid contact as two players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Jayden Cox, who scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-3. Cox is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as she's now snagged at least one in each of the last three games she's played.

Meanwhile, Clarksville fell victim to Booneville and their airtight pitching crew on Thursday. They lost 18-0 to the Bearcats.

Mena pushed their record up to 9-2 with the victory, which was their sixth straight at home. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.3 runs on average over those games. As for Clarksville, their loss dropped their record down to 2-13.

Mena took their victory against Clarksville in their previous meeting back in March by a conclusive 10-0 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Bearcats since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.