Softball Game Preview: Abbeville Yellowjackets vs. Long Rebels

Abbeville is 0-10 against Long since April of 2018 but things could change on Friday. The Yellowjackets will head out to face off against the Rebels at 3:30 p.m. Abbeville has given up an average of 17 runs per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Abbeville is headed into Friday's contest looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their 12th straight game dating back to last season on Thursday. They came up short against Houston County, falling 20-5. On the bright side, the five- run performance marked the Yellowjackets' highest-scoring game to date.

Meanwhile, Long came tearing into Thursday's matchup with 13 straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 11.2 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They blew past the Purple Cats 10-2. The result was nothing new for the Rebels, who have now won 12 contests by six runs or more so far this season.

Anna Claire Free made a splash no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out 14 batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off one hit. Those 14 strikeouts gave her a new career-high. She was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring four runs and stealing four bases while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances. With that strong performance, she is now averaging an impressive 1.1 stolen bases per game.

In other batting news, Kaylie Joseph was incredible, going 2-for-3 with one home run, four RBI, and one double. Another player making a difference was Kaylie Foster, who scored two runs while going 3-for-4.

Long pushed their record up to 21-2 with the victory, which was their tenth straight at home. The home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.6 runs on average over those games. As for Abbeville, their loss dropped their record down to 0-5.

Abbeville might still be hurting after the 15-0 defeat they got from Long in their previous meeting back in March. Can the Yellowjackets avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.