Softball Game Preview: Pine Tree Pirates vs. Henderson Lions

The Pine Tree Pirates will head out on the road to take on the Henderson Lions at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Pine Tree will aim to continue their three-game streak of scoring more runs each contest than the last.

Pine Tree was handed a heart-breaking two-run loss in their last match, but they sure didn't let that happen against Chapel Hill on Tuesday. The Pirates' pitcher stepped up to hand the Bulldogs a 17-0 shutout. The victory was a breath of fresh air for the Pirates as it put an end to their three-game losing streak.

Mo Rougely was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Rougely was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run while going 1-for-3.

Taylor Burkhart

Runs Batted In (Career)

04/01/25 vs Chapel Hill	4
02/14/25 vs McKinney	2
03/28/25 vs Spring Hill	1
03/07/25 @ Chapel Hill	1
03/03/25 @ Spring Hill	1

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Taylor Burkhart, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI. Those four RBI gave her a new career-high. E.K. Holder was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while getting on base in all three of her plate appearances.

Pine Tree always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .640. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their OBP total in three consecutive games.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Henderson). They put the hurt on Chapel Hill with a sharp 26-16 win on Saturday. The Lions haven't had any issues with the Bulldogs recently, as the game was their eighth consecutive victory against them.

Mckenna Moon was incredible, scoring two runs and stealing two bases while going 2-for-3.

Henderson's record now sits at 17-6-1. As for Pine Tree, the win was their first at home , bumping their record up to 8-14-1.

Pine Tree might still be hurting after the 12-0 defeat they got from Henderson when the teams last played back in March. Can the Pirates avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.