Softball Game Preview: North Central Knights vs. Buford Yellow Jackets

North Central is 0-10 against Buford since April of 2019 but things could change on Friday. The Knights will face off against the Yellow Jackets at 7:00 p.m. North Central is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.4 runs per game this season.

North Central will bounce into Friday's match after beating Chesterfield, who they had gone 2-7 against in their nine prior meetings. The Knights came out on top against the Golden Rams by a score of 4-1 on Tuesday. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Knights.

Mackenzie Melton

Batters Struck Out

04/01/25 vs Chesterfield	9
03/27/25 @ Central	11
03/25/25 vs Andrew Jackson	16
03/24/25 vs Dreher	14
03/21/25 @ Cheraw	14
+ 4 more games

Mackenzie Melton was a major factor no matter where she played. She didn't allow a single earned run while striking out nine over seven innings pitched. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in nine consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-4.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Aubrey Taylor, who went 3-for-4 with three RBI. That's the most hits she has posted since back in April of 2024.

Meanwhile, Buford entered their tilt with Lancaster on Wednesday with five consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with six. They skirted past the Bruins 5-3. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Yellow Jackets have posted since March 11th.

Buford's win was their 11th straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 9-1. The home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.0 runs over those games. As for North Central, their record is now 10-3.

North Central might still be hurting after the 11-0 defeat they got from Buford in their previous matchup back in May of 2024. Can the Knights avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.