Softball Game Preview: Paxton Bobcats vs. Ponce De Leon Pirates

Paxton has gone 8-2 against Ponce De Leon recently and they'll look to pad the win column further on Thursday. The Bobcats will host the Pirates at 6:00 p.m. Paxton is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.5 runs per game this season.

Paxton hadn't beaten Freeport on the road since April 2, 2021 but that history sure didn't bother them on Tuesday. The Bobcats put the hurt on the Bulldogs with a sharp 19-6 victory. The Bobcats' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.

Taylor Phillips

Runs Batted In (Career)

04/08/25 @ Freeport	4
03/15/24 @ Chipley	3
03/11/25 @ Cottondale	2
03/10/25 vs Crestview	2
03/03/25 vs Laurel Hill	2

Taylor Phillips was incredible, going 2-for-4 with four RBI and two runs. Those four RBI gave her a new career-high. Dani Thompson was another key player, scoring two runs while going 1-for-3.

Phillips wasn't the only one making solid contact: Paxton kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least ten hits in five consecutive matches.

Meanwhile, after soaring to 11 runs the game before, Ponce De Leon was a bit more limited in their game on Tuesday. They came up short against Chipley, falling 8-2.

Ponce De Leon saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Savannah Brannon, who scored a run while going 2-for-3.

Ponce De Leon has also been struggling recently as they've lost three of their last four contests. That's put a noticeable dent in their 5-8 record this season. As for Paxton, their win bumped their record up to 8-5.

Paxton came out on top in a nail-biter against Ponce De Leon when the teams last played two weeks ago, sneaking past 5-3. Will the Bobcats repeat their success, or do the Pirates have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.