Softball Game Preview: Nease Panthers vs. Sandalwood Saints

The Nease Panthers will head out to square off against the Sandalwood Saints at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Neither of those teams managed to put together many runs in their previous contests, so the offenses might be a little more motivated than usual.

Nease is probably headed into the match with a chip on their shoulder considering Baldwin just ended the team's four-game winning streak on Thursday. They took a 6-1 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Indians.

Sydney Davis

Base on Balls Against

04/03/25 vs Baldwin	1
04/01/25 @ Ponte Vedra	2
03/27/25 vs Beachside	2
03/25/25 vs St. Augustine	0
03/13/25 @ Fletcher	1

Sydney Davis spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and three unearned) runs on five hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances.

Meanwhile, Sandalwood came up short against Mandarin on Thursday, falling 11-2. The Saints have struggled against the Mustangs recently, as the game was their fifth consecutive lost meeting.

Sandalwood's loss dropped their record down to 5-10. As for Nease, their defeat dropped their record down to 6-8.

Sandalwood's hitters will have their work cut out for them on Friday. Nease has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.6 strikeouts per game. It's a different story for Sandalwood, though, as they've been averaging only 3.9 strikeouts. Will Nease keep running through batters, or will the Saints buck the trend?

Nease couldn't quite finish off Sandalwood in their previous matchup back in March of 2023 and fell 7-5. Can the Panthers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.