Softball Game Preview: Purchase Line Red Dragons vs. Blacklick Valley Vikings

The Purchase Line Red Dragons will welcome the Blacklick Valley Vikings at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Purchase Line is currently enjoying a perfect season and no doubt wants to keep things rolling.

Purchase Line took a nine-run loss the last time they faced off against Cambria Heights, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. Purchase Line came out on top in a nail-biter against Cambria Heights on Thursday, sneaking past 6-5. While the Red Dragons didn't have the best season last year (they finished 4-16), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.

Rylee Mahaffey

Base on Balls Against

03/27/25 vs Cambria Heights	1
03/25/25 @ Conemaugh Township	2
03/19/25 vs Conemaugh Valley	1
03/18/25 @ Portage	0

Rylee Mahaffey spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and two unearned) runs on five hits and racked up nine Ks. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks any time she's pitched this season.

At the plate, the team relied heavily on Brooklynn Walker, who scored a run while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances. She also put up a double, which was her first of the season. Rylee Adams was another key player, scoring a run.

Purchase Line kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits every time they've taken the field this season.

Meanwhile, Blacklick Valley lost 16-3 to Ferndale on Monday. The Vikings haven't had much luck with the Yellow Jackets recently, as the team has come up short the last seven times they've met.

Lauren Rohrabaugh made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and scored a run while going 2-for-3. Another player making a difference was Madison Vasilko, who scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-2.

Purchase Line's win bumped their record up to 4-0. As for Blacklick Valley, their defeat dropped their record down to 1-1.

Purchase Line took their victory against Blacklick Valley in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 16-10. Does Purchase Line have another victory up their sleeve, or will Blacklick Valley turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.