Softball Game Preview: Martinsburg Bulldogs vs. Hancock Panthers

Martinsburg is 0-3 against Hancock since April of 2017 but things could change on Monday. The Bulldogs will take on the Panthers at 4:45 p.m. Martinsburg has given up an average of 13.4 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Martinsburg is headed into Monday's contest looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their seventh straight game on Saturday. They lost 16-7 to Hampshire.

Kamyia Cole-Redman was cooking despite her team's loss, scoring two runs while going 2-for-3. She also put up a double, which was her first of the season. Another player making a difference was Hailey Kelican, who scored a run while going 1-for-4.

Meanwhile, Hancock hadn't done well against Forbes Road recently (they were 0-4 in their previous four matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Wednesday. The Panthers blew past Forbes Road 21-4. The high-flying hitting performance was a huge turnaround for the Panthers considering their two-run performance the game before.

Brooklyn McCusker made a big impact no matter where she played. She tossed three innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off five hits. McCusker was even better at the plate, going 3-for-4 with four RBI, one run, and one double.

In other batting news, Madison Booth was a standout: she scored four runs and stole four bases while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances. The team also got some help courtesy of Kaybree Souders, who went 2-for-3 with five RBI, two doubles, and one run.

Hancock always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .657. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Forbes Road only posted an OBP of .286.

Martinsburg's loss dropped their record down to 1-9. As for Hancock, their win (their first of the season) made their record 1-2.

Martinsburg might still be hurting after the 12-0 defeat they got from Hancock when the teams last played back in April of 2019. Can the Bulldogs avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.