Softball Game Preview: Barker Bulldogs vs. Pembroke Dragons

The Barker Bulldogs will take on the Pembroke Dragons at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Both teams took a loss in their last game, so they'll have plenty of motivation to get the 'W'.

Barker couldn't beat Lockport on Thursday even though they stacked four runs on them in the second inning. The Bulldogs fell just short of the Lions by a score of 8-7. The loss put an end to the Bulldogs' undefeated start to the season.

Alina Riches was cooking despite her team's loss, going a perfect 2-for-2 with three stolen bases and two runs. Brooke Dunkelberger was another key player, getting on base in all three of her plate appearances with two runs and one stolen base.

Meanwhile, Pembroke unfortunately couldn't capitalize on their home-field advantage in their season opener. They fell just short of Attica by a score of 5-4 two weeks ago.

Jayden Hootman spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered four earned (and one unearned) runs on six hits and racked up six Ks.

On the hitting side, Reagan Schneider and Adalyn Ball did some serious damage despite the final result: Schneider went a perfect 3-for-3 with one run, one double, and one RBI, while Ball went 3-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI.

Having lost for the first time this season, Barker fell to 2-1. As for Pembroke, their defeat dropped their record down to 0-1.

Barker suffered a grim 12-6 defeat to Pembroke in their previous matchup back in March of 2024. Can the Bulldogs avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.