Softball Game Preview: Gulf Breeze Dolphins vs. Niceville Eagles

Gulf Breeze hasn't had much luck against Niceville recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. The Dolphins will look to defend their home field against the Eagles at 6:00 p.m. Gulf Breeze is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.2 runs per game this season.

Gulf Breeze blew West Florida out of the water the last time the pair played, but on Tuesday West Florida got their revenge. The Dolphins fell just short of the Jaguars by a score of 6-4.

Jacey Reed was huge while hitting and pitching even without the win. She pitched seven innings while giving up four earned (and two unearned) runs off nine hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 1-for-4 with one home run and two RBI.

Reed wasn't the only one making solid contact as seven players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Jessica Jagar, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-4.

Meanwhile, Niceville entered their tilt with Pace on Tuesday with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. Their pitchers stepped up to hand the Patriots a 1-0 shutout.

Niceville's win bumped their record up to 12-5. As for Gulf Breeze, their loss dropped their record down to 11-11.