Softball Game Preview: Spaulding Red Raiders vs. Salem Blue Devils

Spaulding is 2-8 against Salem since April of 2019 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Saturday. The Red Raiders will square off against the Blue Devils. The last three games Spaulding has played have been within two runs, so don't be surprised if it's a close one.

Spaulding is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Wednesday. They never let Concord get on the board and left with a 1-0 win. The Red Raiders' pitching crew has been rock solid lately; the team hasn't given up a run in their last four games.

Meanwhile, Salem posted their closest victory since May 4th on Wednesday. They won by a run and slipped past Exeter 4-3. The Blue Devils haven't had any issues with the Blue Hawks recently, as the game was their third consecutive win against them.

Maddie Bellavia spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and two unearned) runs on five hits and racked up six Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in five consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Lily Gross, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with one triple and two RBI. Those four hits gave her a new career-high. Emma Howes was another key player, going 2-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.

Salem's victory bumped their record up to 16-4. As for Spaulding, their win bumped their record up to 9-12.