Softball Game Preview: Hackleburg Panthers vs. Sulligent Blue Devils

The Hackleburg Panthers will head out on the road to challenge the Sulligent Blue Devils at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Hackleburg is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.1 runs per game this season.

Hackleburg is probably headed into the contest with a chip on their shoulder considering Hatton just ended the team's ten-game winning streak on Saturday. They fell just short of the Hornets by a score of 2-1. The matchup marked the Panthers' lowest-scoring game so far this season.

Hackleburg saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Braylynn Pope, who went 1-for-2 with one stolen base and one run.

Meanwhile, Sulligent made easy work of Colbert County on Saturday and carried off a 9-2 victory. The Blue Devils might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won nine contests by six runs or more this season.

The team relied heavily on Audrey Lann, who went 1-for-2 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. That's the most runs she has posted over her last six matches. Anna Otts also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.

Sulligent is on a roll lately: they've won three of their last four games. That's provided a nice bump to their 14-9-1 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.3 runs over those games. As for Hackleburg, their defeat dropped their record down to 27-8.

Monday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Hackleburg has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .467. However, it's not like Sulligent struggles in that department as they've averaged .485. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.

Hackleburg took their victory against Sulligent when the teams last played on April 3rd by a conclusive 11-4 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Panthers since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.