Softball Game Preview: Hardee Wildcats vs. Lemon Bay Manta Rays

The Hardee Wildcats will venture away from home to take on the Lemon Bay Manta Rays at 6:00 p.m. on Friday.

On Thursday, Hardee didn't have quite enough to beat DeSoto County and fell 4-3. The Wildcats have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.

Sugar Blas made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 1-for-3 with one triple, one run, and one RBI. Another player making a difference was Kirstyn Faulkner, who went 1-for-4 with one triple and one run.

Meanwhile, after only one run in their last game, Lemon Bay made sure to put some runs up on the board against Manatee on Monday. The Manta Rays were the clear victors by an 18-7 margin over the Hurricanes. Considering the Manta Rays have won five contests by more than six runs this season, Monday's blowout was nothing new.

Reagan Altieri was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she pitched seven innings while giving up three earned (and four unearned) runs off eight hits. Altieri was also big at the plate, scoring four runs while going 2-for-4. Those four runs gave her a new career-high.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Taylor Jones, who went 4-for-5 with seven RBI, one run, and one double. Those seven RBI gave her a new career-high. Kara Jones was another key player, scoring four runs while going 3-for-3.

Lemon Bay kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 20 hits. They are a perfect 6-0 when they post 11 or more hits.

The victory got Lemon Bay back to even at 7-7. As for Hardee, their defeat dropped their record down to 4-11.

Hardee suffered a grim 11-4 defeat to Lemon Bay in their previous matchup back in February. Can the Wildcats avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.