Softball Game Preview: Richmond Raiders vs. Northside - Pinetown Panthers

The Richmond Raiders will square off against the Northside - Pinetown Panthers at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty run totals in their previous games.

Richmond was handed a 17-run loss in their previous outing, but that didn't affect their clutch gene on Tuesday. They had just enough and edged out Lee County 11-10.

Richmond let Hayden Robinson and Mikayla English run wild. Robinson scored a run while going 3-for-4, while English scored three runs while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances. That's the most runs English has posted since back in March of 2024. Kalynn McCormick was another key player, going 2-for-4 with three RBI and one double.

Richmond always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .550. They are 2-1 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.

Meanwhile, Northside - Pinetown got the win against Southside on Thursday by a conclusive 15-3. That looming 15-3 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Panthers yet this season.

The team relied heavily on Riley Hudson, who went 3-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI. Another player making a difference was Kinsey White, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base.

Northside - Pinetown is on a roll lately: they've won four of their last five matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 5-2 record this season. Richmond's win bumped their record up to 3-6.

Friday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Richmond hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .354. However, it's not like Northside - Pinetown struggles in that department as they've averaged .366. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other softball content.