Softball Game Preview: Barnegat Bengals vs. Brick Memorial Mustangs

The Barnegat Bengals will face off against the Brick Memorial Mustangs at 3:45 p.m. on Friday. Barnegat will be looking to extend their current ten-game winning streak.

Brick Memorial's hitters are going to have their work cut out for them on Friday: Barnegat hadn't allowed a single run the last four times they've hit the field. The Bengals never let Point Pleasant Beach get on the board and left with an 11-0 win on Thursday. The Bengals might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won nine games by six runs or more this season.

Brick Memorial came out on top against Toms River South on Thursday thanks in part to the team's impressive four-run seventh inning. The Mustangs narrowly escaped with a victory as the squad sidled past the Indians 8-6. The Mustangs haven't had any issues with the Indians recently, as the game was their third consecutive win against them.

Avery Nalducci made a splash no matter where she played. She struck out seven batters over seven innings while giving up six earned runs off seven hits. She has been consistent: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts any time she's pitched this season. She was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in all four of her plate appearances with two runs and one stolen base. That stolen base was her first of the season.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Carly Hobbs, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with four RBI, two doubles, and one run. Another player making a difference was Morgan Satter, who went 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI.

Brick Memorial hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Toms River South struck out seven times.

Barnegat pushed their record up to 14-4 with the victory, which was their ninth straight on the road. Those road wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.3 runs on average over those games. As for Brick Memorial, their victory bumped their record up to 9-5.

Barnegat suffered a grim 10-0 defeat to Brick Memorial in their previous matchup back in April. Can the Bengals avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.