Softball Game Preview: Baker County Wildcats vs. Bartram Trail Bears

The Baker County Wildcats will head out on the road to face off against the Bartram Trail Bears at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Baker County's pitching crew has only allowed 2.4 runs per game this season, so Bartram Trail's hitters will have their work cut out for them.

Baker County will head out to face Bartram Trail after giving up their first home loss of the season on Wednesday. The Wildcats fell 7-3 to Fort White.

Baker County got a good showing from Grace Masterson, who struck out seven batters over 2.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit (and only one walk). Masterson has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 14 consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, Kentlee Payne was cooking despite her team's loss, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles and one RBI. Those doubles were her first of the season.

Meanwhile, Bartram Trail got the win against Buchholz on Wednesday by a conclusive 14-8.

Lucie McDonald was incredible, going a perfect 5-for-5 with five RBI, three runs, and one triple. Those five hits gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Joslyn Goebeler, who went 2-for-4 with four runs, one triple, and one RBI.

Bartram Trail is on a roll lately: they've won seven of their last eight matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 13-7 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 7.3 runs over those games. As for Baker County, they suffered their first home loss, dropping their record down to 13-3-1.

Baker County took their victory against Bartram Trail in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 9-2 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Wildcats since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.