Softball Game Preview: Whitley County Colonels vs. Harlan County Black Bears

The Whitley County Colonels will face off against the Harlan County Black Bears at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Whitley County has given up an average of 8.4 runs per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Jackson County hit Whitley County with a four-run fourth inning on Thursday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Colonels lost 11-1 to the Generals. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest defeat the Colonels have suffered against the Generals since April 11, 2022.

Madi Rains made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went a perfect 2-for-2 with two doubles and one run.

Harlan County had taken Knox Central down for two straight games at home, but that winning streak came to an end on Thursday. The Black Bears fell just short of the Panthers by a score of 5-4.

Aly Sherman was huge while hitting and pitching even without the win. She tossed four innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with two stolen bases.

In other batting news, Braylen Gilley was cooking despite her team's loss, going 1-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and one RBI. That triple was her first of the season. Maddy Blair was another key player, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with one stolen base and one run.

Harlan County's loss dropped their record down to 9-12. As for Whitley County, they now have a losing record of 13-14.

Whitley County came out on top in a nail-biter against Harlan County in their previous meeting back in March, sneaking past 12-10. Do the Colonels have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Black Bears turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.